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C5th Congress, T Doc. No. 452. ] Ho. of Reps. 

2^ Sessi07i. Executive. 



ALLEGED FRAUDS ON CREEK INDL\NS. 



MESSAGE 



FROM THK 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, O:^ 

TnANSMlTTlXO 

Information in relation to Jllleged Frauds on the Creek Indians in 
the Sale of their Reservations. 



July 3, 183S. 
Read, and laid upon the tabic. 



To the House of Representatives: 

I transmit a report from the War Department in relation to the inves- 
tigations of the allegations of fraud committed on the Creek Indians, in 
the sales of their reservations, authorized by the resolution of that body 
of the 1st of July, 1S36. 

M. VAN BUREN. 

Washington, July 3, 1S38. 



War Department, Juhj 2, 1838. 
Sir : I have the honor to lay before you, for transmission to the House 
of Representatives, a report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, ac- 
companied by copies of the general reports of Messrs. Crawford and 
Balch, commissioners under the resolution of that body of the 1st of July, 
1836, for investigating the frauds alleged to have been committed on the 
Creek Indians in the sales of their reservations. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

J. R. POINSETT. 
The President of the United States. 



War Department, 
Office Indian Jiffiairs, July 2, 1838. 
Sir : I have tVie honor to submit, herewith, to be laid before the Presi- 
dent, with a view to their transmission to the House of Representatives, 

Thomas Allen, pnnt. 



'Z 



I 

[ Doc. No, 452. ] f 0(^ 



copies of the general reports of Messrs. Crawford and Balcli, commis- 
sioners under the resolution of that body of the 1st of July, 1836, for in- 
vestigating the frauds alleged to have been connnittcd on the Creek In- 
dians in the sales of their reservations. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

C. A. HARRIS, 

Cojnmisswner. 
Hon. J. R. Poinsett, 

Secretary of War. 



Report of T. Hartley Crawford on the frauds charged to have been 
perpetrated in the transfer of Creek Indian lands. 

Washington City, May 11, 1838. 

SiK : The President of the United States was requested, by a resolu- 
tion of the House of Representatives adopted in July, 1836, to institute 
an inquiry into alleged frauds in the purchase of the reservations of the 
Creek Indians. 

To carry into effect the resolution referred to, the late Chief Magistrate 
constituf'ed a conunission, consisting of Alfred Balch, Esq., and the un- 
dersigned. With the information of their selection for this duty, the then 
Secretary of War, under date of 12th July, 1836, transmitted instructions, 
of which so much as is material to the present purpose follows : 

" Your duties will divide themselves into two distinct branches: first, 
the investigations into the causes of hostilities, and into any other trans- 
actions connected with the contracts for the sale of Creek lands, which 
may lead to prosecutions before tlie tribunals of justice for criminal 
otfences ; and, secondly, the inquiries necessary to do justice to the In- 
dians and to the parties claiming to have purchased their lands." 

On the first division of the assigned duty, a report was made to your 
Department in January, 1837. As to the last, the Secretary proceeds : 
" W'ith respect to the second branch of the inquiry, the examination of 
these Indian contracts, with a view to confirm or set them aside, the en- 
closed documents will give you full information. The President commits 
the whole matter to your discretion. You are at liberty to pursue such 
a course in relation to it as you may think proper. The great object is 
to do justice to the respective parties ; to set aside the fraudulent con- 
tracts, and to confirm the honest ones. The instructions heretofore given, 
copies of which you will find herewith, will make known to you the 
views of the President, both with respect to the end to be attained and 
the means to be adopted. So far as relates to your mode of proceeding, 
where the rights of parties are involved, I recommend to you to follow 
tlie principles laid down in these instructions. With respect to the pub- 
lic notices to be given, the investigations to be made, the places where 
they shall be held, and all other matters relative to this business, you will 
exercise your own discretion. Contracts which have been approved and 
certified cannot be set aside without the action of the President. Sucli 
ases must be reported here, with your opinion. All other reservations 

'' be open for conveyance under your direction. You can appoint cer- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 3 

tifpng agents, who will be allowed the compensation prescribed in the 
regaUitions. 

" The last investigation was interrupted bv t!ie Creek v/ar. The gen- 
tlemen to whom it was committed seemed to be pursuing a proper 
course ; and, so far as they have definitively reported, their decisions 
have been confirmed by the President. I am aware it is a matter of 
some difficulty to determine what course of proceeding you will adopt, 
more particularly as many of the hidiaiis will have probably left the 
country before the commencement of your labors. But you arc author- 
ized, should you deem it necessary, to appoint one or more persons, with 
a reasonable compensation, to proceed to the Creek country west of the 
Mississippi, to procure any information you may require from them. 
The superintendent (]Mr. Armstrong) will be directed to afford you any 
aid in his power. 

" It is not at present known how soon the Creek Indians will leave Ala- 
bama, nor whether General Jesup, under the instructions which he has 
received, and a copy of which is enclosed, has permitted any conveyance 
of lands subsequent to the commencement of the present difficulties. He 
was authorized to do so, as you will perceive, in order that no impedi- 
ment should exist to the voluntary removal of the friendly portion of the 
Indians; and, with that view, to permit them, at the risk of the pur- 
chasers, to convey their lands upon a proper consideration. As n was not 
possible to prepare, iu time, a list of the approved contracts, it necessarily 
follows that every person making the purchase would do so, depending 
on the honesty of the Indian, and subject to the risk of a preceding con- 
veyance. 

" These circumstances General Jesup was required publicly to make 
known. No reports have yet been received on the subject ; and, conse- 
qneiUly, it is not known whether any thing has been done. As fast as 
any intormatiou is received, it shall be communicated to you ; and letters 
will be directed to you at Columbus, Georgia, where you can have di- 
rections sent for forwarding them to you. Should the removal of the 
Creek Indians have been principally effected before your investigations 
are undertaken, the practical ([uestion, so far as relates to any fraudulent 
contracts, and to their vacation, with a view to put the Indians again in 
possession of this right, as to tlie mode of proceeding, would be one of 
some importance, and upon which you must decide after a full considera- 
tion of all the circumstances. 

" You are authorized to call to your aid the district attorneys of Georgia, 
and both the districts of Alabama ; and those gentlemen will beTequested 
to co-operate with you whenever you may find it necessary to ask for 
their services. 

" You will proceed to the execution of your duties as soon as you can 
conveniently do so, and pursue your investigations without any unneces- 
sary delay.' You will make to this Department a full report of your 
transactions." 

The trust confided, and shaped by these instructions, was accepted; 
and, in relation to the contracts for Indian lands, the alleged frauds in pro- 
curing them, and the claims made under them, I have the honor to report : 

That the commencem.ent of the year 1832 found the Creek Indians the 
acknowledged holders of upwards of 5,000,000 acres of land, in the State 
of Alabama, of which, for all usufructuary purposes, they were, accord- 



4 [ Boc. No. 452. ] 

ing to the highest judicial opinion, the owners, so lon^as they chose to 
maintain their possessory right. This tract of country was their inherit- 
ance, and had belonged to those of their blood before our ancestors 
brought civilization to the western side of the Atlantic. It was/the rela- 
tively small remnant of their former extended dominion which nourished 
and sustained a hardy, brave, and warlike people. The same causes 
which thinned their number, broke their spirit, and imposed upon them a 
sense of self-degradation, induced them to curtail their possessions, and, 
as they depreciated numerically, physically, and morally, to limit their 
woodland haunts to their wants, and, it might sometimes be, to yield to a 
necessity which they could not resist. The region that remained to them 
was, if considered in reference to agricultural purposes, more than they 
used ; it was sparsely dotted with log huts, surrounded by a few acres'of 
half-cleared and half-enclosed ground, not generally characterized by fer- 
tility, and worked by female hands. If regarded as the scene of their 
favorite amusement, and as furnishing the means of subsistence by the 
chase, game had in a great measure disappeared from this territory, 
which, with their indifference to the future, their indolence and general 
unthrifty conduct, left them in a state of actual privation, and often of 
great suffering. They were hemmed in on either hand by Georgia and 
Alabama, with a close population, of whom the most respectable, from 
personal observation of their degraded condition, and from occasional col- 
lisions, were not very favorably inclined towards their savage neighbors, 
while the rapacious and unprincipled intruded upon and mingled among 
them; and against law, and in disregard of probity and conscience, sought 
their own gain at any expense of probity to the Creek; and, what was 
worse, by ministering to his evil passions and uncontrolled propensities, 
extinguished all the betler qualities which are to be seen in the uncor- 
rupted Indian. 

Thus vitiated, they felt debased; their ignorance of our language and 
of business made them shy ; they glided away among the bushes at the 
white man's approach, as the deer of the forest flies at the foot-fall of 
the hunter; their simplicity led them into the snares of cunning; they 
were without redress, their sorrows derided, their complaints scorned, and 
their persons abused. This worst of human conditions, in which all the 
Idndness that springs from mutual intercourse and necessary confidence 
was wanting, in which the sympathy that belongs to common wants and 
rreciprocal dependence did not exist, where griping and unfeeling avarice 
was at daily work to persuade, to defraud, to wring or wrest out of ig- 
■jiorance and imbecility all they had, was one that no friend of the Creeks 
could desire to continue; and long it would not have continued, for the 
corrosive influences, which were eating up their small means, were as 
surely destroying their lives. These miseries, owing in part to their spe- 
cial condition, but more, it must be admitted, to the cupidity and wicked- 
ness of our own race, belonged essentially to the existing circumstances, 
and will ahvays be found where they are. No Government, however it 
may mitigate, can wholly prevent them. The conviction of this, com- 
bined with the settled policy of the United States, and other considera- 
tions, which need not be particularly mentioned, conduced largely to the 
making of the treaty of 24th March, 1832. 

By this instrument, which was ratified by the United States on the 4th 
"iril, 1832, and thenceforward became " obligatory on the contracting par- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 5 

ties," " the Creek tribe of Indians cede to the United States all the land east 
of the Mississippi river." In consideration whereof, the Government con- 
tracted to pay them in money, for various purposes, one hundred and 
thirty-six thousand two hundred and eighty dollars ; to allow them an 
additional annuity of twelve thousand dollars for five years, and thereafter 
an annuity of ten thousand dollars for the term of fifteen years: to grant 
to particular individuals annuities for life; to pay to those who had emi- 
grated at their own expense the sum of fifteen dollars each, provided the 
aggregate did not exceed fourteen hundred dollars; and to divide among 
those who had suffered in consequence of being prevented from emi- 
grating, the sum of three thousand dollars. It being a leading object of 
the United States to induce them to eraigate, it was further provided, that 
so many as were willing to go should be removed at the expense of the 
Government, and maintained for a twelvemonth at their new homes. 
To each emigrating warrior arms and ammunition were allotted ; to each 
family, a blanket ; and to the purposes of education three thousand dollars 
annually were appropriated, for twenty years. It was also stipulated 
that iron and steel should be furnished them, and blacksmiths supported 
for twenty years to work them up; and lastly, on this braiich of our en- 
gagements, " that the Creek country west of the jNIississippi shall be sol- 
emnly guarantied to the Creek Indians," and "a patent or grant issued 
theretbr," according to the act of Congress of 2d May, 1830, 

That provision of the treaty which principally concerns this report, 
which was the charter of Creek reservations, and the origin of all the 
dilficulty that has fdlen upon the Government and the Indians, relates to 
portions of the ceded territory set apart for Creek use, and formed the 
chief consideration of the cession. It was a most unfortunate stipulation, 
which it required no great forecast to see might give birth to dishonest 
practices, that the weakness of the Indian would make successful, and must 
be productive of embarrassment on every side. The apprehension was 
strongly entertained and expressed by the thenChief Magistrate, than whom 
no man was more capable of forming a correct judgment. The proposi- 
tion was declined and opposed ; objections, which subsequent events have 
shown to be too well founded, urged, but pressed in vain upon the de- 
luded Creek, whose misguided pertinacity was, doubtless, fortified by 
those who were looking forward to the consummation of the frauds their 
imaginations had even thus early devised, f^xposfulation was fruitless, 
and the Government was compelled to yield the only cotulition upon 
which the Creeks would ncsotiate. The second, third, and fourth articles 
of the treaty, being the basis of all that has been done oliicially in con- 
nexion with individual Indian landed interests, in the Creek country, 
since the 4th of April, 18.32, are copied in full : 

" Article 2. The United States enirage to survey the said lands as soon as 
the same can be conveniently done, after the ratification of this treaty ; and, 
when the same is surveyed, to allow ninety principal chiefs of the Creek tribe 
to select one section each, and every other head of a Creek family to select 
one half section each ; which tracts shall be reserved from sale for their 
use for the term of five years, unless saoner di:sposed of by them. A 
census of these persons shall be taken, under the direction of the Pres- 
ident ; and the selections shall be made so us to include the improvements 
of each person within his selection, if the same can be so made, and, if not, 
then all the persons belonging to Uie same town entitled to selections, 



6 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

and who cannot make the same so as to include their improvements, 
shall take them in one body in a proper form. And twenty sections 
shall be selected, under the direction of the President,, for the orphan 
children of the Creeks, and divided, and retained, or sold for their Ixinefit, 
as the President may direct : Provided, however, That no selections or 
locations under this treaty shall be so made as to include the agency 
reserve. 

" Art. 3. These tracts may be conveyed by the persons selecting the 
same to any other persons, for a fair consideration, in such manner as the 
President may direct. The contract shall be certitied by some person ap- 
pointed for that purpose by the President, but shall not be valid until the 
President approves the same. A title shall be given by the United States 
on the completion of the payment. 

" Art. 4. At the end of five years, all the Creeks entitled to these selec- 
tions, and desirous of remaining, shall receive patents therefor in fee 
simple from the United States." 

It was further covenanted by the United States, that twenty-nine addi- 
tional sections should be located for tlie Creek tribe generally, and there 
were special grants to Benjamin Marshall and Joseph Bruner. About 
these twenty-nine sections, the twenty sections of orphans' lands, or the 
special locations of JNIarshall and Bruner, there is no dispute or ditliculty 
at present, and they are only mentioned as being articles of the pact 
relating to land; and, with the particulars previously referred to, and a 
provision respecting intruders, embrace every material part of the treaty. 

Without indulging any sickly sympathy for Indian wrongs in all parts of 
North America, or casting reproach upon one section of the country more 
than another for injuries inflicted, to which it is too late in the day to 
apply a full remedy, it may, without indelicacy, be observed that this 
treaty furnishes the most striking evidence of the relative positions of the 
contracting parties. Unlike other vendors or purchasers, each protecting 
himself by such precautions as sound discretion and legal control furnish, 
we have feebleness reposing with confidence on the strength with which 
it could not wrestle, and one of the parties undertaking to perform his 
own part of the engagement, and at the same time to secure the other in 
the full and fair enjoyment of whatever advantage accrued to him by the 
arrangement. It is a great moral sjiectacle, and appeals to us with a 
force That cannot be resisted, to fulfil, to the uttermost letter, our engage- 
ments ; to right Avhatcver wrongs have been done the Creeks in the pre- 
tended and fraudulent transfer of their reservations ; and the sense of 
integrity and of manhood in every breast responds that in them a stronger 
obligation, if possible, than treaty duty is felt, not to deceive confiding 
imbecility. When the Indians affixed their signatures to the treaty, no- 
tlnng further remained for them to do ; their whole duty was performed ; 
ours had not begun. It was commenced, however, immediately ; and it 
is a happy reflection that, in the progress of its discharge, nothing which 
the Executive could do has been left undone, and that the most anxious 
efforts have been made to redress the frauds which the system of Indian 
reservations could scarcely fail to produce. 

In conformity with the provisions of the second article of the treaty, 
orders were issued on the 2d May, 1832, for surveynig the land trans- 
ferred by that instrument. That work was prosecuted with the greatest 
■diligence, which enabled those employed on the duty to complete it in 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 7 

December, 1833. The taking of a census of the Creek nation proceeded 
contemjioraneously, and the return, made in May, 1833, announced an 
Indian population of 23,566 souls, and that there were 6,557 heads of 
families, entitled severally to a half section of land. If to these be added 
*>0 sections assigned by the treaty to the chiefs, the 20 sections for the 
benefit of the orphan children, and the 29 that belonged to the Creek 
tribe, we have an aggregate of 6,696 sections and half sections that were 
to be separated from all other lands for Indian ownership. Looking at 
the extent of this brancb of the duty, covering 2,187,200 acres of land, 
and reflecting that the whole territory (amounting, inclusive of the reser- 
vations, to alDout 5,200,000 acres) was surveyed between May, 1832, and 
December, 1833, and. as it could not be anticipated where tbe reservees 
would be located, divided into townships and sections, halves, quarters, 
and eighths of sections, with a view to public sales, after the Indian claims 
were satisfied, it must be allowed this was a most arduous undertaking, 
and that no time was lost in its execution. The special provisions of tbe 
treaty in regard of Creek improvements increased the dilficulty of the 
locating duty, and, to forward its performance as mucli as i)ossihle, the 
Department constituted a commission in October, 1833, to allot his reser- 
vation to each entitled Indian, Avhose labors were closed in Januaiy, 1834. 
All the preparations were thus made, that were rerpiisite to sales by res- 
ervees. But to avoid any unnecessary delay, certifying agents Avere 
appointed in November, 1833, to superintend sales, for whose guidance 
regulations (which will be found in the appendix, letter A) were adopted 
by the War l)epartm<MU on the 28tli November, 1833, and approved by 
the President of the United States on the same day. To these supple- 
mentary regulations those of appendix B were added on the ISth December, 
1833, which were modified by additional resulations (appendix, C) of 
7tli March, 1836. It has been observed that the surveys were completed 
in December, 1833, and the work of locating finished in January, 1834, 
but that agents were appointed in November, lS33,to certily sales; these 
they wore authorized to approve, as the locations were established, (see 
twelfth original regulation, appendix A,) with the intent of affording the 
Indians an opportunity of selling their lands at their value, as early as it 
might be their pleasure to do so. The agents were furnished with several 
lists, each within his own sphere of action, of the reservees, and of the 
lands to which they were respectively assigned, and in the month of Feb- 
ruary, 1834, were actively engaged in the discharge of their duties; be- 
fore which time all the necessary preliminary arrangements had been 
fully made. 

At this stage it may not be improper to pause for a niomont, and look 
at the exposure of these ignorant and barbarous wards of the United 
States to the ravages of cuiming and roguery, and to inquire whether 
proper precautions were taken to secure them against the attempts that 
were morally certain to be made to persuade, to deceive, to intimidate, 
and to coerce them out of their rights. 

Their entire want of acquaintance with business, their incapacity justly 
to appreciate ])roperty or fix upon it a true value, their habits of life and 
limited concejitions an all subjects, and iLfnorancc of the language of those 
who sought contracts for their lands, placed them powerless in the hands 
of the purchasers. Silver, the only circulating medimn of whicli they 
know any thing, was almost the only article of value to them ; they had 



8 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

been accustomed to its use in small amounts, in supplying their circum- 
scribed wants : and a few hundred dollars were regarded as a treasure 
that their short-sightedness would make exhaustlcss. They are like 
children, led away by the passion of the moment, and bent upon its 
gratification at all hazards ; they did not look beyond the hour, and could 
be flattered or deluded, under the influence of artfully stimulated desire, 
into any sacrifice that would furnish instant indulgence to the active pro- 
pensity of the time. Their peculiar weaknesses and vices were acted on 
to the destruction of their means ; the unprincipled would surely attack 
them on the points at which they were so vulnerable. Of so many facil- 
ities of making large gains by small investments, there are never wanting 
persons to profit. Where there are so many inlets for dishonest shrewd 
men, they are sure to enter, and sometimes to gorge all the avenues ; and 
it is both humihating and wonderful to reflect how the appetite for pecu- 
niary gain grows with its gratification, especially if the stream of accu- 
mulation have an impure fountain. Individuals who disregard the prompt- 
ings of conscience are to be found every where; but perhaps it is not 
unjust to say, that in frontier regions — in districts about to be, or recently 
settled — they are most numerous. Wherever the homes of any consider- 
able body of red men are surrounded or bordered by the dwellings of our 
race, instinctive impulse as certainly carries the bad, cool, and wary, who, 
free from the dominion of the law and regardless of moral restraint, de- 
liberately practise upon the foibles and vices of the Indians, and filch 
from them all they owned. Having reduced them to beggary and want, 
their necessities are used to sink them still lower, to teach them to forego 
all scruples, and to become the instruments of defrauding their brethren. 
These shameless acts become occasionally so numerous, and are so dis- 
gusting even to some of those engaged in them, that they produce satiety, 
and the recipients of them are self-compelled to disgorge their ill-gotten 
gains, as the stomachs of birds of prey are relieved by very offence at 
the quantity and grossness of the matter with which they are burdened. 
Against harm from such exposure and such men, it was not less the 
intention and anxious wish than the duty of the Government to guard. 
With a special eye to these dangers were the regulations of November 
and December, 1S33, and March, 1836, framed. They were adopted as 
reflection or experience, at their several dates, seemed to call for their 
different requirements — all tending directly to one point, the safety of the 
Indian, for whose protection the shield was widened and thickened as 
time showed that increase of defence was necessary. The fiist instruc- 
tions, being the regulations of November, 1833, required every applica- 
tion to a certifying agent for his approbation to be accompanied by the 
written contract itself; and that, if the payments were all made to the 
satisfaction of the Indian, that fact must be clearly established before the 
agent ; or, if they were not all made when the parties came before him, 
the contract itself must distinctly state the times and modes of payment, 
and the sum actually received. The agent was required, whenever it 
was possible, to have a personal interview with the Indian, and to explain 
to him full}^ the nature of the proceeding, with a view to his perfect 
understanding and approbation of it on mature consideration ; and, when 
this was impracticable, to be content with nothing short of the clearest 
proof of the whole transaction ; which proof he was enjoined to make a 
nart of his return, and to say further why he had not seen the vendor. 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 9 

In those cases in which the amount stipulated to be paid was less than 
the minimum price of the Government sales, (^1 25 per acre,) the agent 
was directed to ascertain the actual value of the land, and he was to cer- 
tify that the price was fair if he so believed, and in his certificate to fur- 
nish a general description of the quality of the land, that^he President 
might consider each case and its circumstances with care, and come to a 
just decision thereon. The general idea was, that a contract would not 
be approved unless the price of Si 25 per acre was paid or secured; but 
as information from the Creek country induced the belief that many of 
the tracts were not of this value, the above duty was liirown upon the 
agent, as securing to the Indian a fair equivalent for his reservation. In 
all cases, of whatever value the land, it must be ascertained as far as 
practicable, and that must be paid or secured to the owner before the 
certificate was signed. No patent could issue until the payments were 
complete under the treaty, whose provision was reiterated in the regula- 
tions, and in both we find it asserted that the approbation of the agent 
shall in no case be final until sanctioned by the President. The forego- 
ing, with the general form of the certificate to be made, and one or two 
matters of no consequence in this paper, made those rules and instructions 
which were first devised and approved for enabling the Creek reservee 
to dispose of his property for a fall consideration. They found the agent's 
path marked out on untrodden ground, by the best reflection; but expe- 
rience soon suggested that if the payment of the price was to de[^end on 
Indian acknowledgment of satisfaction, the sluices of fraud would be 
opened so widely that the stream would cover the whole territory; and 
on the 18th December, 1833, a supplemental regulation was adopted, re- 
quiring the payments to be " made in the presence of the approving agent, 
except in tlie very few cases where the Indian may he prevented by ill- 
ness or inability from appearing before the agent. But such cases must 
be proved hy the most unexceptionable evidence, as well as the payments 
made under them, and the circumstances must be distinctly stated for the 
consideration of tiie President." 

To these were added the adrlitional regulation of the 7th March, 1836, 
founded on fraudulent treatment of the Indians, of which there will be 
seen too much evidence in this report, and the o})inions in detail to which 
it is pri'liminary. ]Jy this last instruction, the agent could certify no sale 
except in the public square of the town to whicli the reservee belonged, 
where, in the presence of the chiefs and other Indians, he was directed 
to ascertain the identity of the owner of the land, and convince himself 
that the bargain was just and fair, fully comprehended by the Indian, and 
that he was })aid for his projierty according to the existing regulations. 

If the Creek was unable, from sickness, to meet the agent, he was in- 
structed to visit him at his dwelling, in the presence of one or more chiefs, 
when all the circumstances being ascertained which the agent was bound 
to know in the public square, he might certify a contract.* It would be 
difficult to imagine a system more wisely arranged for the honest and 
beneficial fulfilment of our covenants, more perfectly adapted to the pro- 
tection of Indian incapacity, or more carefully devised for the exclusion 
of fraudulent operation upon the interests that we had undertaken to pre- 
serve. Even now, with all the instruction of the past, and looking back 

• Ttiis direction was virtually given as early as 28th April, 1S35. Vide app. K. 



10 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

over all that has happened, it is thought that more prudence could not 
have been exercised by the General Government than the whole course 
of this unfortunate business under the treaty, and the agencies estabhsiied 
for approving sales, exhibits. Frauds, so long as there were those to 
practise them, would seem to be inseparable from all the circumstances 
of Indian character and Indian ownership, and the peculiarities of the 
occasion. 

The certifying agents were engaged in the discharge of their duties 
throughout the year 1S34, and the temptations to make advantage by 
imposing on the reservees were so alluring to corrupt men, that complaints 
of fraudulent practices were made as early as March of that year. These 
allegations were renewed from time to time, and the agents as often urged 
by the War Department to increased vigilance and activity in the preven- 
tion and detection of such disgraceful acts ; and they were informed that 
" if any instances of individual fraud, permitting the interference of the 
Government, can be pointed out, they shall be investigated ; and, if requi- 
ring and admitting correction, they shall be corrected." Artful schemes 
and devices gave impunity and success to bold bad men, Avhose profli- 
gate and wanton conduct not only extended its operations, but became 
utterly regardless of public observation and opinion, until at length, in the 
sprhig of 1S35, every prudential restraint was set at defiance, and acts 
which should make men cover their faces and shun sunlight, came to 
be the boast of these spoilers of Indian property. 

The justice of the complaints made is fully substantiated by letters from 
certain Indian chiefs to the Secretary of War, dated the IGth March, 1835, 
(app. D ;) from the same and other chiefs to Dr. R. W. McHenry, dated 
23d March, 1835, (app. E ;)* from L. Tarrant Esq., to the Commissioner 
of Indian Aflairs, dated ^4th March, 1835, (app. F;) from Dr. McHenry 
to the same, dated 25th March, 1835, (app. G ;) from a large number of 
the inhabitants of Chambers county, Alabama, to the President of the 
United States, dated 8th April, 1835, (app. H ;) and the proceedings of " a 
meeting of the citizens of Macon county, and its vicinity," held on the 
19th May, 1835, (app. I.) These frauds, though most numerous in one, 
appear to have been perpetrated in all the agencies open early in 1835. In 
the one polluted by the greatest depravity, and in which the agent, Dr. 
McHenry, stated that 19 out of 20 cases certified by him were fraudu- 
lent, a justice of the peace, one Henry C. Bird, was procured, who, pos- 
sessing no moral sense, and lamentably wicked, made and signed olfici- 
ally affidavits, in which he left blanks for all the material facts and names, 
that they might be filled up at the pleasure of the holder, in consumma- 
tion of base designs ; thus rendering himself infamous, while he dishon- 
ored his commission and his State. In consequence of the representations 
so forcibly made, the Secretary of War, by his letter of the 2Sth April, 
1835, (app. K,) directed the agents to suspend the certification of con- 
tracts until they were otherwise instructed, and to give public notice of 
such direction. They were further requested to investigate the alleged 
frauds ; and were informed that the President would withhold his ap- 
proval from all contracts before him, until their fairness could be ascer- 
tained. The agents entered upon the duty assigned them, and examined 
sales alleged to be fraudulent in the course of the summer of 1835. Be- 

* A copy of which was forwarded to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, through L. Tar- 
rant, Esq. 



[ Doc. Xo. 452. ] 11 

fore, however, their labors were completed, and in consequence of addi- 
tional representations to the Government, Colonel John B. Hogan was, 
on the ytli September following, specially appointed to the duty of fur- 
tiier investigation in the Creek country, with the aid of tlie several agents 
in their respective districts. The modes of practising deceptions upon 
the Indians were as various as the ingeimity of men, but consisted chieliy 
of two: 1st, By teaching one of them who had sold his land, or never 
owned any, to represent another, who was the holder of a reservation ; 
he learned his name, and that of his tribe or town where he lived, the 
situation of his dwelling, and of the town-square and council-house, and 
such other circumstances as the agent would be likely to inquire into, 
with the view of identifying the reservee ; and, thus prepared, he was pre- 
sented before the agent, and, answering readily the usual questions, the 
officer was deceived, the contract certified, and the proprietor of the land 
defrauded. The wages of this combined iniquity were generally $5 or 
SlO. 2d. By taking the tme Indian before the agent, and in his presence 
paying the consideration-money, which was afterwards obtained from 
him by the fraud or force of the pretended purchaser. Colonel Hogan 
prosecuted his inquiries vigorously, and on the 22d January, 183(5, made 
a report of their result. This return, embracing 650 cases in Dr. McHen- 
ry's district, was not made in such form and with such details as would 
enable the President to perform the duty enjoined on him by the treaty, 
except in eight cases. That instrument imposed upon him the necessity 
of deciding upon the validity of a contract, on a view of all the circum- 
stances attending it. It was represented that frauds to a very great ex- 
tent existed ; the investigation was ordered in consequence; and, to war- 
rant him in concluding that a transfer was void, it was obviously neces- 
sary that he should be guided by evidence, and the exercise of a sound 
discretion upon it, and not by tlie naked opinions of others. The report 
contained no such testimony, but the mere expression of an o])inion that 
the purchases were invalid. Some of the cases were repoited as "given 
up " by the purchasers, which seemed to form an exception to the above 
general remark. The report was, on the 11th March, 1836, by letter of 
that date (app. L) to Messrs. Hogan, Burney, and Anderson, committed 
to those geiulemen for re-examination. In the mean time, and during the 
months of January and February, lS3(i, Colonel Hogan jnirsucd his in- 
vestigation industriously in General Sanford's district ; and a book mark- 
ed B, of which a copy was furnished by the Indian Bureau to the com- 
mission, contains the memoranda made by Colonel Hogan, apparently 
on the ground from which it is presumed ho intended to draw up his re- 
port for the Department ; but it docs not appear that such a report was 
put into form, or transmitted to the Government. In virtue of the hi- 
structions of 11th March before mentioned, Messrs. Hogan, Burney, and 
Anderson commenced their examinations, and were making rapid and use- 
ful progress in them, when the hostilities on the part of the Creeks broke 
out, in May, 1836 ; and their further operations ceased, by letter from the 
Secretary of War, of 19th May, 1830, (app. M,) stating the impractica- 
bility of proceeding with tlieir labors, and requesting a report of what 
they had done. That report was made by those agents on the lOtli June, 
1836, embracing 100 cases, and was approved by the President ou the 
7th July following. 



12 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

We left the agents on the 28th April, 1835, under a recall of their au- 
thority to certify contracts. On the 18th September, 1835, Leonard Tar- 
rant, Esq. was authorized to resume the certification of contracts by letter 
of that date from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, (app. N ;) and 
on the 26th September, 1835, by letter from the same officer to Dr. Mc- 
Henry, (app. 0,) he was directed to suspend all recertification of sales 
prior to " 28th April last, as also certification of sales since that day." In 
order to understand why it was necessary to suspend Dr. McHeniy's pow- 
ers, which do not appear to have been renewed, it is proper to observe 
that a letter had been written to him by the acting Secretary of War on 
the 18th June, 1835, (app. P,) which he construed into a revival of his au- 
thority, though it was not so intended, and acted accordhigly. The cer- 
tifications made under this supposed renewal of power it was deemed 
advisable to recognise, if otherwise valid, which was done by letter from 
the Commissioner to Dr. JVIcHenry of October 14, 1835, (app. Q.) On 
the 28th October, 1835, a communication Avas addressed to L. Tarrant, 
Esq. and Dr. McHenry, (app. R,) directing them to resume their duties 
as certifying agents, but expressly excluding recertifications. This letter 
would seem to have been required only for Dr. McHenry, as Mr. Tar- 
rant's powers were restored on the 18th September; unless, indeed, it was 
for the special direction not to recertify, which it will be seen in another 
part of this report there never Avas any authority to do, although a few 
cases so recertified appear to have been recognised as the acts of the 
agent. The services of Dr. McHenry, as certifying agent, were dispensed 
with on the 10th January, 1836, by a communication of the Commissioner 
of that date, which it appears by a letter from Colonel Hogan to the Com- 
missioner of 22d January, 1836, Mr. INIcHenry received at Fort Mitchell 
on that day. Thomas Crawford, Esq., of Alabama, was appointed his 
successor, but I am not aware that he ever acted. General Sanford was 
elected to Congress, and ceased to be a certifying agent in the spring of 
1835. When Major Thomas J. Abbott was appointed to that office, I do 
not know precisely, nor is it important here to ascertain, but it was after 
January, 1836 ; and on the 20th May, 1836, the powers of L. Tarrant, 
Thomas J. Abbott, John Staton, Esquires, and Colonel John B. Hogan, as 
certifying agents, were withdrawn on account of the Indian hostilities, by 
letter of that date, (app. S.) 

On the 19fh May, 1836, General Thomas S. Jesup was assigned to the 
command of the troops employed to suppress Indian hostilities, and cer- 
tain powers were conferred on him in relation to the sales of Indian reserva- 
tions. In his letter of general instructions of that date, it is said, " It is 
impossible, from the want of time, to cause abstracts to be prepared show- 
ing the sales that have been made by the Creek Indians ; and therefore 
no directions can be given for any definite proceedings upon that subject. 
There is no objection, however, in the cases of those friendly Indians, to 
permitting them to sell agreeably to the established regulations, a copy of 
which you will herewith receive, if the purchaser can satisfy himself that 
no contract has been heretofore made for the sale of the land. But if 
this is done, he must do it upon his own responsibility ; for if a previous 
valid contract has been entered into, the first purchaser must hold the land." 
He was also authorized to " appoint a certifying agent to certify con- 
tracts, should any be entered into as above mentioned." Under the power 
thus conferred, Major Thomas J. Abbott and Lieutenant J. A. Chambers, 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 13 

United States army, were selected as certifying agents for one section of 
the Territory, and Leonard Tarrant, Esq. for the other; and they certified 
contracts in the summer of 1S3G. 

At the risk of being thought tedious, I have thus endeavored to present 
a connected account of what took place in execution of our stipulations 
in the treaty of 1833, and of the efforts made by the Government to pre- 
vent and correct frauds in the sales of Creek reservations prior to the 
resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States of July, 

1836, and to the constitution of a commission under it. This was deemed 
proper, because of the variety and complexity of the examinations and 
investigations submitted to the commissioners, which are of such intrica- 
cy, and so shrouded by documents and correspondence, and confusion of 
date and detail, that it is a work of immense labor to take up the mass 
and struggle through it — a labor perhaps inconsistent with your other im- 
portant duties; but if it shall be your pleasure to undertake it. the hope 
is indulged that your inquiries will be facilitated by the foregoing review, 
which has been as much condensed as seemed to comport with making it 
intelligible. 

The commissioners, in pursuance of their instructions, met in the Creek 
country in September, 1836, and organized the board. About the time 
of their arrival, the great body of the Indians emigrated, and a band of 
warriors was about to go into the military service of the United States 
in Florida, leaving in '*tlie nation" a small party, consisting chiefly of 
old men, women, and children, very many of whom were the wives and 
relations of those who had engaged hi our service. To conduct the in- 
vestigations on the plan that had been theretofore adopted, of meeting 
the Indians in their public s(|uares, and in the presence of the chiefs and 
others, upon notice to the claimants of the reservations by purcha.se, was 
impossible; and t!ie commissioners determined upon certiiin regulations, 
dated tlie 17th of September, 1836, (app. T,) which they caused to be 
published in the newspapers, and handbills containing them to be put up 
at public places, and to be circulated, so as to give the widest and most 
extensive notice of their contents. They considered it necessary to make 
additional rcirulations on the 17th of October, 1836, (app. U;) to which 
also the utmost publicity was given by the same means. Various other 
rules, of a more or less general character, as necessary machinery for 
shaping their inquiries and guarding the just rights of all parties, were 
adopted from time to time, which need not here be more particularly re- 
ferred to. Before the proofs and evidence which bear upon luimerous 
contracts arc spoken of, it will be proper to turn to the instructions of a 
general nature that have been given to the commission since its organiza- 
tion. A letter from the Commissioner of Indian Aflairs, of 17th February, 

1837, laid down the following rule : "In the further progress of your in- 
vestigations, it is the opinion of the President that you should devolve the 
burden of proof on the first purchaser. This will exclude, of course, all 
examination of cases in whicli a tract has been resold, but not recertified 
after reversal, and in which it may have been resold and recertified with- 
out authority on the part of the agent." 

This instruction was explained by a communication from the same 
officer, of June 21, 1837, in which he says: '-'In explanation of the in- 
structions of February 17th, I liave to observe, that the object of the con- 
tract with General Watson was to convey to him all the lands in 



14 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

McHenry's district, the first contracts for which had been contested, un- 
less the holder of the contract estabhshed its fairness and integrity. As 
in many instances McHenry had, without authority, set aside the contract 
first certified by him, and certified another for the same land, it became 
necessary to direct your inquiries to the one or the other. Obviously the 
first contract was, and is, properly the object of investigation ; if that was 
or is so successfully impeached that the President has not or could not 
approve it, Watson's title would attach itself to the land. It was for this 
reason, and the reference to this class of cases alone, that the passage in 
the letter to you of the 17th February, which you have quoted, was writ- 
ten." 

On the 8th of September last a communication was received by the 
board from the Commissioner, conveying the views of that officer, whicli 
were approved by the Secretary of War, and embraced the following in- 
structions: That the commissioners "include in their report only the cases 
in which they have instituted inquiries into unapproved contracts, on 
representations, or their belief of fraud in the original contracts. This 
report will include all contracts, upon the validity of which it is now the 
imperative duty of the President to act; and in it will be imbodied the 
substance of the representations or the evidence on which they founded 
a belief of fraud that induced an investigation, and the evidence adduced 
in the course of it." 

"That it is the opinion of the President the validity of approved con- 
tracts, except such as are still in the possession of the Department or its 
agents, if it be disputed, must be determined in any mode the parties may 
elect; but the Executive will interfere no further than to withhold the 
patents, until the question of title is determined." And as to those ap- 
proved contracts which are still in the possession of the Department or its 
agents, the commissioners were instructed to "imbody in a separate com- 
munication all the evidence and facts they may have collected, going to 
show fraud to have been practised" in them. Which last instruction 
was thus quahfied: "Provided that they take cognizance of cases of ap- 
proved contracts, only v/hen specific allegations of fraud in a particular 
contract are made to them by respectable persons." 

Considering that ample opportunity had been aff"orded to parties to set 
up or impugn contracts, the farther instruction was given, "that no alle- 
gations of fraud presented after the 16th of October next should be exam- 
ined by the commissioners." And on the 21st September, 1837, addi- 
tional instructions were received, by which the board was informed that 
"the instructions given to the commissioners on the 17th February last, 
to devolve the burden of proof on the purchaser, ought to be applied only 
in cases in which they shall determine to institute an investigation, in 
consequence of representations of fraud made to them by credible persons, 
or the exhibition of evidence sufficient to induce them to believe that 
fraud has been practised. It appears to me that it would be assuming 
too much, and taking too great a latitude, to consider all contracts since 
February, 1835, fraudulent, for the single reason, that many made since 
that date have been shown to be of that character. Unless, therefore, 
other evidence bearing upon a particular case be adduced before them, it 
will be considered that the contract is not fraudulent, and may be pre- 
sented to the President for his approval." 

Many other instructions involving subordinate considerations and mat- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 15 

ter of detail, have been transmitted to tlie commissioners, but a reference 
to them is not material in this place. 

Under the general regulations before adverted to, a great number of 
memorials, counter-memorials, and answers, have been filed from time to 
time before the board, alleging purchases to be fair or fraudulent, accord- 
ing to the interests and opinions of the parties, and their supposed ability 
to sustain or overturn contracts by proofs. A large proportion of these 
cases form the detailed report herewith submitted. 

When the parties litigant had made their several representations, ap- 
plications were made for rules to take testimony, of which the mass per- 
tains to particular cases, in which the evidence adduced was filed ; and 
with the report upon them, respectively, will be found a compend of it, 
together with the opinions of the commissioners. 

It is shocking to reflect on the disclosures elicited. They embrace men 
of every degree. Persons, heretofore deemed respectable, are implicated 
in the most disgraceful attempts to defraud those who were incapacitated 
from protecting their own interests; whose presence, so far from being 
any interruption to the plundering of themselves, was sometimes sought, 
as their instrumentality was used to effect their own ruin. This conduct, 
dero£jatory to civilized man, was not inaptly termed " land stealing." The 
connnissioners cannot believe they have been able to reach all the gross 
frauds put upon the simple Creek ; but they hope they have been useful 
to as great an extent as, under the circumstances, could reasonably have 
been anticipated. The absence of the Indians from the territory deprived 
the board of their aid in their inquiries ; and their attention was necessarily 
directed to the discovery of white men who were ac(iuainted with t\u: 
transactions of the dark winter and spring of 1835. They were so for- 
tunate as to meet with some witnesses who had the knowledge which 
the commissioners were persuaded existed, and the disposition willingly 
to disclose it on oath. Among those who thus stepped forth to breast the 
current, was Arnold Scale, a respectable citizen of Alabama, whose depo- 
sition was taken on notice to the gentlemen that appeared as counsel for 
the persons whose conduct was assailed by the witness, (app. W.) Sup- 
posing that the force of this deposition might be weakened, or explana- 
tions of it furnished by the witness himself, he was again examined on 
interrogatories filed by the parties implicated; and in justice to them a 
copy of the interrogatories, and of his answers, is also furnished, (app. X.) 
These depositions were intended to relate to all the contracts to which 
they aj)plied, were general, and made so intentionally, and were so un- 
derstood and agreed to be on all hands. The taking of the second depo- 
sition shows it. The acknowledgment of notice of taking the first, reads, 
'' Notice of time and place of taking the written deposition acknowledged, 
and form waived," signed by the same counsel's name, without designa- 
ting himself as the attorney of any one or more claimants. So the no- 
tice to take the second, addressed to the district attorney, said, " Please 
take notice, that on Tuesday, the 14th day of March instant, at the house 
of Arnold Scale, in the county of Chambers, between the hours of 'J 
o'clock, A. M. and 10 o'clock, P. M., the deposition of the said Arnold 
Seale will be taken, to be read before T. H. Crawford and Alfred Balch, 
commissioners to investicrate frauds," &c., signed by the same counsel in 
the same way. The interrogatories are signed by another gciUleraan as 
" claimant's attorney." The interrogatories themselves establish that all 



16 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

those implicated took part in them. Neither the acknowledgment of no- 
tice, the notice itself, interrogatories, nor depositions, are entitled or were 
filed in any particular case ; nor could they be, for the latter were not 
meant to be so taken, but were designed to cover all the ground over 
which they would reach ; and to place the matter beyond all doubt, the 
first deposition of Arnold Scale was taken, as declared in its caption, " to 
be read in all cases to which it may apply, which are now pending before 
Thomas H. Crawford and Alfred Balch, Esquires, now sitting," &c. The 
depositions of John Garrett and John Taylor (app. Y and Z) were taken 
under the same circumstances, with the same intention, and on the same 
notices, and were equally general in their character. Garrett was cross- 
examined by the same counsel ; and in the heading of Taylor's deposi- 
tion, it is stated that it was " to be read in evidence in all cases to which 
the same may apply, and which are now pending before Thomas H. 
Crawford and Alfred Balch, Esquires, now sitting," &c. And the deposi- 
tion of Edwin E. Bissell (app. AA) was also taken and designed to be 
used generally ; and on it is endorsed, by the same gentleman who re- 
ceived and gave the other notices referred to, " I acknowledge service of 
notice of the time and place of taking the within deposition, and consent 
that the same may be read in any case to which it may apply, and waive 
form," declaring expressly the general authority of the counsel, and the 
understanding of the persons who held the contracts, of the use that would 
be made of the several depositions mentioned, which were all taken un- 
der the same instruction to the acting district attorney, and about the same 
time. I have been thus particular in what, at first sight, might seem 
immaterial matters, because the foregoing evidence is of the utmost con- 
sequence, and upon it rest many of the opinions that the commissioners 
shall spread before you. 

These depositions disclose acts that make the blood of a just man 
mount to his cheeks for shame that he and the perpetrators of them be- 
long to the same community. The recomiting of them by the witnesses 
displays their deformity in all its length and breadth and darkness. I 
would not deepen their color by a shade, if I could ; and their enormity 
makes it impossible, even if I had the disposition. 

It was known that letters had been written by certain individuals 
charged with wrongs upon the Creeks, and it was very important, in the 
view of the commissioners, to possess themselves of the originals, if pos- 
sible, that they might serve the double purpose of reaching the writers in 
their contracts, and furnishing authentic evidence of whatever general 
plan or arrangement they might disclose. These letters they obtained, 
and they are from Eli S. Shorter, now deceased, to Doctor John S. Scott 
and Messrs. M. M. & N. H. Craven, (app. BB ;) from the same to 
Messrs. John S. Scott, E. Corley, M. M, & N. H. Craven, (app. CC ;) from 
Benjamin P. Tarver to Mr. M. A. Craven, (app. DD;) and from Elijah 
Corley to Scott and Cravens, (app. EE.) In the record thus made by 
some of these unprincipled and reckless men of their own infamy, we 
have confirmation out of their own mouths of the truth of all that has 
been alleged and otherwise proved. 

The course pursued by several of the claimants of lands under con- 
tracts, which are reached by the testimony mentioned, establishing that 
at, about, and near the dates of those instruments, the holders of tliem 
were engaged in defrauding the Indians, is evidently founded upon the 
idea that as there is, in many instances, no evidence of the fraud in the 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 17 

particular case, it cannot be reversed. The instructions quoted forbid an 
investigation, unless there is reason to believe there has been fraud ; but 
where that belief exists, the examination is to be made. And who can 
doubt that where several frauds were committed by an individual on a 
given day, he would perpetrate as many more as opportunity enabled 
him to effect at the same time ; or that a fair presumption arises against 
his integrity in January, Avho is proved by name to have been extensively 
engaged in frauds in February, and against those contracts into which lie 
uses exertions to prevent an investigation, of which he has had full no- 
tice, and gives his attendance accordingly ? Supposing that such pre- 
sumption is justified, what ought to be the mode of proceeding, and where 
ought the burden of proof to be cast ? I hold that whenever you suspect 
the fairness of a contract, or choose to insist upon proofs, you have a clear 
legal right to call upon the claiming party to maintain his purchase by 
evidence of all essential particulars; and that where there is a well- 
founded belief that tiic individual pret'erring a claim has been engaged in 
frauds about the date of his exhibit of title, he is bound, on every princi- 
ple, to satisty those who are to pass upon iiis pretensions of the fairness 
of the special case. The general character of some of the proofs taken 
has been already shown, and that, by the consent and design of all par- 
tics, they were made to apply to all cases fairly affected by them. They 
are as projierly used in each of such cases, in my judgment, as if sworn 
to and exhibited in them respectively. The question is a most important 
one, and I therefore ask to be indulged in setting forlh the views on 
which numerous opinions, to be presented herewith, are grounded. The 
first branch of the above position is not intended to be insisted on here as 
a distinct proposition, because it isat variance with instructions ; and if, in 
maintaining the last, and to exhibit it in a stronger light, I shall state some 
reasons for the correctness of the foiMner, I request that they may be con- 
sidered as illustrative only, and not as proceeding from any disregard of 
the instruction, or want of respect for the opinion of the high functionary 
from whom it proceeded. 

Is the position tenable, that proof of tlic execution of the contract, and 
of the agent's certification, entitles the claimant to call upon the Indian 
for evidence of unfairness and imposition in obtaining the contract? 
Shall those who are implicated by the testimony referred to, present con- 
tracts embraced wMthin t^.e corrupt periods established by that testimony, 
and be permitted to fold their arms and demand their confirmation, unless 
their helpless opponents shall fix the imputations upon them in each par- 
ticular case ? L<t us inquire. 

What was the authority of the certifying agent ? lie was empowered 
to certify contracts made by the Creeks for the sale of their reservations, 
under the treaty of lS32,to the President of the United States, who alone, 
by the 3d artictc of the treaty, and the regulations prescribed for the gov- 
ernment of agents, could give force and efficacy to the sales by his appro- 
val. By the return of these contracts to the War Department for further 
action, the power of the agent is spent, but still they are incomplete ; and 
to entitle them to the sanction of the President, it must appear that all the 
requisitions of the treaiy had been complied with, and the regulations 
conformed to. Is it not arguing in a circle, to say that the execution of 
the paper and the certificate of the agent establish all that is required, 
until the contrary is shown, when the allegation that they are vicious is 



18 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

the ground of this investigation ? An instrument full and perfect on its 
face, to which every name has been affixed that is necessary to give it 
validity, and which bears about it all official ratification, might be regard- 
ed as prima-facie evidence of the verity of what it contained — it would 
be so ; as for example, if, by any mistake, a contract should receive the 
President's sanction which did not deserve it, in a judicial inquiry it 
would only be necessary, in my opinion, for the holder to produce it in 
the first instance with proof that it had been so approved, because it had 
received the confirmation which the treaty had made requisite to its va- 
lidity. In the case in hand, the paper with the proofs has no such sanc- 
tion ; it is imperfect, and the last seal is withheld, because it is at least 
doubtful whether it is entitled to receive any such impress. It is not a 
valid instrument, nor is it binding, until it is approved by the Executive. 
Shall any contract be efficacious to give the man claimhig under it the 
vantage-ground, so as to throw the burden of proof on his Creek oppo- 
nent, when, by the very law of its existence, it has not and cannot have 
any validity at present ? and the inquiry, in which it is sought to give it 
this operation, is, whether it ever shall have that force. "Where a deed is 
executed under some special authority which prescribes the mode and 
form of execution, the execution will not be valid unless these requisites 
be observed. In the execution of a power, all the circumstances required 
by the creators of the power, however unessential and otherwise unim- 
portant, must be observed, and can only be satisfied by a strictly literal and 
precise performance." — Rex vs. Anstrey, Easter term, 1S17 ; Hawkins 
vs. Kemp, 3 East. 440. The agents were acting under "special authority, 
which prescribes the mode and form of execution" of the contracts they 
were to certify. The value of the reservations was to be paid, in their 
presence, and to the true owners. These were the leading requisites in- 
sisted on by the Executive, who created the authority to certify. Were 
they conformed to ? A compliance is necessary to the efficacy of the cer- 
tificate, and it is said the certificate proves the compliance. The position 
is, that a certain instrument has the effect of establishing that particular 
acts were done, when, to give the paper itself any force, it must be first 
shown that these acts were performed. The argument is urged on the 
crround that the agent was accredited by the Government, to whom his 
report should be evidence of what he asserts. If the contract were unat- 
tacked or unimpeached, the argument would be plausible. But doubts 
are raised upon the fairness of the transactions to which that report relates, 
by proofs of the grossest frauds by testimony that at, about, and after certain 
periods clouds overshadowed the great body of the purchasers. The cer- 
tificate of the agent is not stronger than any other official communication 
made by him to the War Department, nor better entitled to its confidence ; 
and Dr. McHenry avowed officially the belief that nineteen out of twenty 
contracts, certified by him in the winter and spring of 1835, were fraudu- 
lent. General Sanford, in a letter to the Secretary of War, of 15th May, 
1835, said, there is not a shadow of doubt "of the existence of fraud, of 
very great fraud," and " possibly, in the latter days of my office," " it may 
have been successfully practised on myself as well as Others ;" and L. 
Tarrant, Esq., in a communication to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 
of 24th Marcii, 1835, speaking of Dr. McHenry, remarked, "frauds have 
been practised upon him to a great extent — perhaps to a much greater ex- 
tent than they have been upon me ; but with all the vigilance I have 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 19 

been enabled to use, they have lo some extent been practised upon me ; 
and if the same number of contracts had been certified by me, I am not 
sure that frauds to a great extent might not Iiave been practised upon me. 
I believe that there is an organized plan of operations to deceive the 
agents, and to introduce the wrong Indian to certify or approve contracts." 
Under these circumstances, such certificates cannot be allowed on any 
principle to throw the burden of proof upon the alleged seller. To give 
them this effect, would be to close one's eyes upon the hght of the sim, to 
suffer the triumph of fraud over simplicity and ignorance, and to compel 
the commissioners to advise the ratification of what their judgments tell 
them do not deserve confirmation. To place the execiuive branch of the 
Government in such a dilemma would be a poor return for its confidence, 
and more, would be unjust to myself and to my sense of integrity. 

What are the proofs alluded to ? They establish that during the months 
of February and March, 1835, in General Sanford's and Dr. McHenry's 
districts, fraud, ciiiefly by personation, was carried to a most appalling ex- 
tent. It was difficult, almost impossible, to guard against it. The greatest 
facilities existed in the Indian character for the successful operations of 
the designing. The agents could scarcely escape imposition, with all the 
attention it was practicable to give to their duties, and it would have been 
remarkable if they had escaped it. Near the town of Cusseta, in which 
Dr. Mcllenry certified, Indians were collected in large bodies, amounting 
to 400 or 500 ; and from tliat to 1,000 were encamped In the woods, which, 
in the language of one witness, ''appeared to be full of them," and were 
fed by and under the direction avowedly of the agents of tliose to whom 
the largest number of contracts was certified. It is testified that one of 
tliose agents boasted he had one hundred and seventy-two contracts closed 
during the last week the agency was open, and unhesitatingly stated that 
a!iy Indian, who could pass the examination of the certifying agent, was 
taken betbre him, and made to play his part In this solemn and wicked 
farce : that the witnesses saw many contracts certified, and afterwards 
were present at the identification of the true reservees by the chiefs at the 
investigations, and the latter were not the i)artles to the contracts : that 
the principal purchasers were present Immediately before and at the lime 
these frauds were perpetrated ; that all regard for ap[)earances even was 
abandoned, and no attempt at secrecy in their movements was made ; and 
that threats and menace were used by some of those engaged In this busi- 
ness, against the persons who exposed their unprincipled proceedings : 
that early in March, 1S35, "the land-stealers were crowding into the of- 
fice by droves, and certifying contracts very fast, and it appeared as though 
they would steal all the Indians' land ; they seemed to carry on the busi- 
ness in sport:" that a toast was given In a crowd by one of those concerned 
in these nefarious practices, " Here's to the man that can steal the most 
land to-morrow without belns' caught at It ;" and that such a flood of fraud 
inundated the agency, diat Dr. McHenry "closed his book" and "refused 
to certify for one day." It further appears that various attempts were 
made to buy off' those who expressed their indignation at these transac- 
tions, and were exposing and likely still further to expose them: that at 
one time an arrangement was verbally agreed on, by which the fraudulent 
contracts were to be given up, and that when it was reduced to writing 
it was carried to Columbus, to be executed by those who were parties to 
it, one of whom objected to signing it " for the reason that it would be an 



20 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

open confession of having stolen the land, and that they had some regard 
for character :" that in the month of February, 1835, it was reported 
"that persons were stealing land at Columbus before General Sanford;" that 
while the arrangement before mentioned was negotiating, a leading pur- 
chaser's remark, " that the plan of stealing had been adopted to bring about 
a reaction, and cause the true owners to sell their lands," was understood 
by the witness to apply to both Sanford's and McHenry's districts ; that 
several of those concerned in them admitted that "there were a great many 
stolen contracts" in both districts; and that these transactions were em- 
braced within certain dates, believed to be in and from and after February, 
1835 ; that even some of the very first contracts certified were acknowledged 
to have been fraudulent ; that a present to an unprincipled interpreter, and 
five or ten dollars to the pretended owner, was the common price of a 
land transaction, and the opinion openly proclaimed that money was a 
curse to the Indian, that a small sum was as advantageous to him as a 
large one, and that one of the chief managers and contractors said, that if 
witness would go with him " up to McHenry's, he would show him how 
they had closed the business in Sanford's district, and they were deter- 
mined to close McHenry's in the same way," which the witness under- 
stood to be by "the personation of one Indian for another." He did not 
believe that the plan was possible for a day or two, when he went up to 
McHenry's office, where, from the course pursued and what he saw, he 
became perfectly satisfied that ihese men were basely engaged in person- 
ating Indians, or, in oiher words, in stealing land. A letter was written by 
a large contractor, dated 2Sth January, 1835, saying that the Indians in 
General Sanford's as well as in McHenry's district had " but one moon in 
which to save their lands," and that "the great struggle should be for the 
most valuable lands ;" and several letters were written by the same indi- 
vidual and others, openly avowing the grossest frauds and the intention of 
perpetrating them ; and many of those engaged in procuring fraudulent 
contracts were active when Col. Hogan, in January and February, 1836, 
was pursuing his investigations in Sanford's district, in dissuading the 
Indians from complaining, and using every means to prevent a full exam- 
ination, to cover the frauds, and to render the efforts of the agent to reach 
them unavailing. 

It is thus placed beyond doubt that the month of February, and the af- 
ter time in the spring of 1835, exhibited scenes at which principle revolts 
and the heart sickens. 

The investigations which were subsequently made by Dr. McHenry, 
by Colonel Hogan, and by the two together, and by Colonel Hogan in 
conjunction with Messrs. Burney and Anderson, were commenced after 
the fullest notice ; held publicly, with the amplest opportunity for all in- 
terested to attend, and in the actual presence of many of the alleged pur- 
chasers. Each was called on to substantiate his claims, and, under these 
circumstances, and with the fullest lights, many contracts were given up, 
and many reported and marked for reversal on testimony, and on person- 
al examination, especially by Colonel Hogan, whose investigations, as al- 
ready mentioned, were not confined to McHenry's district. 

To give to the view I entertain, and have expressed, all the force of 
which it is capable, it may not be improper to advert to a still broader 
foundation for the opinion that the ojuis jjrobandi rests on the purchaser. 
It is a common principle of equity, " to protect those who are unable to 



[ Doc. No. 452. J 21 

protect themsalves, and of whom an undue advantage is taken." (1 Sto- 
ry's Com. on Eng. Jurisp. 149.) The situation of the contracting parties 
is pecuhar. On the one side are civihzation, wealth, and business capaci- 
ty ; on the other, ignorance, total incapacity for business of any kind, and 
unacquaintance with our language ; circumstances sutiicient to bring into 
full exercise the above chancery principle. But, in addition to ail this 
disparity of circumstances, the Indian, in most cases, was resident in Ar- 
kansas. Tiie little chance there would be for information from him is 
cut o(T. A great judge (the late Chief Justice Tilghman, of Pennsylva- 
nia) has said, that necessity, moral or absolute, is a sufficient reason for 
dispensing with the rules of evidence. If I could not otherwise elicit 
truth, I would adopt and act on that prmciple. under the special circum- 
stances, on this occasion ; nor would there be a)iy just ground of com- 
plaint or hardship on lioncst |)urchusers, who can easily show the fair- 
ness of their contracts, the payment of the money, &c. ; or, if they fail, 
the fault will rest with themselves. Agreements on which large sums are 
paid and received, ought not to be difficult of establishment, if they de- 
serve to stand. Ordinarily, proof of the execution and delivery of a 
bond is prima-facie evidence of the right of the man to whom it 
purports to have been made, to recover on it. Nor, altliough there 
must be delivery, is any particular form required ; but jjroof of the 
mere execution will not do ; evidence of delivery, direct or by implica- 
tion, nuist be adduced. In some situations, and between men of business, 
possession would be held to be evidence of delivery ; in other circumstan- 
ces more would be required — the rules of evidence adapting themselves 
to the parties and the facts, and having elasticity sufficient to compass the 
ends of justice. But do not execution and delivery include the identity of 
the person who signed the bond with the individual charged to have done 
so? Certainly not, and this under ordinary circumstances. What is the 
condhion of the Indian ? He is ignorant and imbecile. He can only con- 
vey under the supervision of a Government agent, and such contract is 
not valid until approved by the President, which presupposes the pay- 
ment of the purchase-money. If, then, it is necessary to prove the iden- 
tity of the obliiror with the man sued in common lite, the principle is con- 
clusively established, by which the purchaser shall be compelled, by the 
change of circumstances, to do not only that, hut to go a step further, and 
prove what is requisite here to the confirmation of the contract — the pay- 
ment of the just value of the land conveyed. Tiie bond in the case put 
is good prima-facie evidence of indebtedness, without evidence that the 
consideration was paid, because the law makes the bond valid without it ; 
but, in these Indian contracts, the law under which ihey were entered 
into makes the payment vital. So much for legal principle, and the rea- 
soning that grows out of it; and although, in my judgment, they ap- 
pear to be conclusive, I am happy to be sustained by authority. " Where 
the subscribing witness to a bond stated that he saw it executed by a per- 
son who was introduced by the name of Hawkshaw, (the name of de- 
fendant.) but was unable to identify him with the delendant in the ac- 
tion, tlie plaintiff was non-suited." (Parkins /•.9. Hawkshaw, 2 Starkie's 
C. 239; 3 Eng. Com. Law Rep. 332; 1 Starkie on Evid. (5 Am. ed.) 
323, top page 287.) The case of Ilildreth vs. Sands (2 John. Ch. Rep. .34, 
44,) arose out of a conveyance of land alleged to be fraudulent, and the 
chancellor said "Tiicre is no proof tliat the price was paid, or that any 
voucher or security was taken as evidence of the debt," and fraud may 



22 [ Doc. Xo. 452. ] 

be inferred from tiiis circumstance. These cases cover the whole groimd, 
without adverting to the fraudulent practices put upon the Indians. I am, 
therefore, of opinion that the proof should come from the purchaser, 
which is necessary to the enforcement of his contract. But when we 
turn to the facts, that the agent was imposed on by the production of one 
Creek who assumed the name and character and property of another, it 
will be seen at once how indispensable to justice it is, that he who is 
charged with instigating the miserable Indian to this dishonesty, and 
claims to have bought from the true owner of a reservation, should show 
it, and that he paid him. It must be perceived that the real questions 
are of identity and payment. It is not wished to ascertain whether a 
certain paper was executed, but whether the man who did sign it, and 
called himself A B, was the real A B : and if so, whether he received a 
full price for his land, which was essential, under the treaty and regula- 
tions, to make his contract valid. I have thus, at more length than may 
be thought necessary, given my views on this interesting topic ; but a less 
full exposition of them would not have satisfied my sense of duty. 

The report of Colonel Hogah's examinations in Dr. McHenry's district, 
as has been before stated, was not acted on by the President, except as 
to a few cases, for the reasons previously herein given. In relation to 
tlie contracts included in it, we are instructed to require the claimants to 
support them. The book B, of the same agent, containing notes of his 
investigations in General Sanford's district, from which he designed, no 
doubt, subsequently to make up his report for the Executive, is not, in 
my judgment, evidence per se of its own contents. It consists chiefly of 
memoranda made by liim from the mouths of the Indians — it cannot be 
said to be a report ; nor do I know any duty by which he was bound to 
send it to the Government, nor how it found its way into the bureau of 
Indian Aflairs; for most certainly it was not returned in conformity with 
any direction, instruction, or order, that I have seen or heard of Still, 
Avhen we consider that fair and ample notice was given to the purchasers 
of the examinations noted in this book, that many of them attended in 
pursuance thereof, and endeavored to stifle complaint before this honest 
and respectable agent, and prevent an exposition of whatever had taken 
place ; combined with this and other testimony going to impeach a par- 
ticular contract, or the general integrity of conduct of a claimant in his 
Indian purchases at and about the same date, it has weight, and may 
form one link in a chain of evidence sufficiently strong to fasten fraud on 
a contract so firmly as to authorize and require a call upon the holder of 
it for exculpatory evidence. 

The instructions to the agents, and particularly the standing regula- 
tions, specially prepared and devised with a view to the protection of the 
Indians from wrong and injustice, prescribed certain duties, a substantial 
but strict discharge of which was necessary to the validity of sales. The 
performance of these requisitions they could not dispense with ; nor, it is 
conceived, can the Government now render valid a contract where there 
is non-conformity to these directions in any essential particulars; for when 
they were adopted and promulgated, they became a law, not only to the 
agent, but to the Government that he served, on a fair compliance with 
which the Creeks have a right to insist. It was necessary, among other 
things, that the money (it being first ascertained to be a fair consideration 
for the land) should be paid in the presence of the agent ; and if the price 



^ [ Doc. No. 452. ] 23 

agreed on was less than $1 25 per acre, besides certifying that it was 
just, it was required that his certificate should " contain a general descrip- 
tion of the tract, agreeably to the best information he procures. In all 
cases arising under this section, the circumstances will be particularly 
examined by the President, whose decision will be made as may appear 
to be just." In another part of the regulations it is said, where the land 
is sold below the minimum Government price " the agent will add to his 
certificate a statement that the land is proved to my satisfaction to be of 
an inferior quality, (being sandy, or marshy, or containing so many acres 
only which can be cultivated, or specifying any other facts which may 
have come to his knowledge, showing its quality,) and that I consider it 
worth only (here insert the sum).'' Whenever these vital conditions of 
the validity of a sale are unfulfilled, or others of the same character are 
unperformed, a contract ought not to be, and cannot be, confirmed. 

It only remains, in the general survey to which this report should be 
confined, before stating the principles on which the opinions in the respec- 
tive cases are founded, to which you must look for particulars and details, 
to speak of recertified deeds. Where an original contract ought, in the 
opinion of the agent, to be reversed, he sometimes, before that opinion of 
his was further acted on, certified a new or second contract to another 
purchaser ; and these were called recertifications* Are they valid ? With 
certain exceptions, which will be presently noted, I think they are not, 
and cannot be sustained. The agents never had power under the general 
authority conferred to certify such second contracts, as appears by the 
letter of the Secretary of War to the Attorney General, dated 7th May, 
1S36, (app. FF,) and his answer thereto of 9th of the same month, (app, 
GG.) The War Department, as soon as it was apprized of the practice of 
recertifying, forbade it, (app. HH.) Afterwards this prohibition was qual- 
ified, and the agents were informed they might recertify where the 
buyer and seller were both willing to annul the contract, (app. II.) They 
were again somewhat restricted by instructions requiring the surrender 
by mutual consent to be reduced to writing, and signed by the parties, 
(app. KK :) and subsequently, the agents were directed to abstain from 
recertifying contracts "for the present," where the originals were '-de- 
clared by the parties to be fraudulent," (app. LL.) In a letter from the 
Secretary of War to the Hon. D. H. Lewis, of the House of Representa- 
tives, dated IGth March, 1S36, it is stated that "no authority has been 
given to recertify contracts, except in those cases where they have been 
set aside by the mutual consent of the parties." It is thus apparent that, 
unless the President had sanctioned the reversal of a contract, or it had 
been relinquished by consent of the parties, it could not be recertified ; 
and that the power to recertify where there was a relinquishment, was 
suspended. On Colonel Hogan's report of 22d January, 1S.36, there were 
205 contracts noted as " given up," and a number of these were recer- 
tified, and so marked on that report. These reccrtifications, where they 
otherwise conform to the requirements of the Government, are, I think, 
entitled to ratification, because of their recognition by the Department. 
In a letter from the Secretary of War to Messrs. Hogan, Burney, and 
Anderson, of 1 Ith March, 1836, committing to them the report of Colonel 
Hogan of 22d January, for re-examination and revision, he speaks of 
those 205 cases, and of so many of them as were recertified, thus : " In 
the second class of cases, those given up, (by which it is understood the 



24 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

purchasers, in the presence of the agent, agreed to surrender their con- 
tracts,) the Department will suspend its action for the present. They will, 
however, ultimately be reversed, unless something shall occur to call for 
a difierent course ; and the recertified contracts will be approved, if no 
valid objection should be made to them." If, then, no valid exceptions 
are taken to this set of recertified cases, they would seem to be fairly 
entitled to confirmation. 

The last class being added to the two previously noticed, we have all 
the exceptions to the general proliibition of recertifying. 

The views here set forth, somewhat at large, as to the recertified con- 
tracts, are in exact accordance with the opinion of the Department, as 
appears by a report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the Secre- 
tary of War, ap]a-oved by him on 5th Sepiember last, and transmitted to 
ihis board as instruction, ni which is the following: '• That their inquiries 
.should not extend to the validit}^ of second contracts, unless the first bad 
been set aside by the President, or the parties iiad consented, in writing, 
that the first should be set aside, or it was stated in the abstract of Colonel 
Hogan, transmitted to him and his associates, Messrs. Burney and Ander- 
son, on the 1 1th of March, 1S36, that the first htid been given up." There 
are some contracts })eculiarly circumstanced, and made under the instruc- 
tions to General Jesup, which will receive separate consideration, and 
perhaps stand upon ground of their own. 

The following general principles result from what has been stated, and 
governed me in forming opinions : 

1. The abstract, or report of 22d January, 1S3G, of Colonel Hogan, 
Avas regarded as impeaching the several contracts reported for reversal 
by him, and as placing the laboring oar in the hands of the purchasers, 
ulthougli it was rarely found necessary to rest upon it alone, as other 
proofs reached almost every case on that return which the commissioners 
have as yet considered. 

2. The book B, or examination of the same gentleman in General 
Sanford's district, taken singly, was not deemed sufficient to justify me 
in calling upon claimants for evidence ; but, in connexion with other 
proofs, conducing to the belief that fraud existed, was allowed to weigh. 
Wherever it was unsupported, and other reasons were found — for exam- 
])le, non-compliance with the regulations — justifying a recommendation 
of reversal, my opinion rests on the latter. 

3. The testimony of Arnold Scale, John Garrett, and John Taylor, es- 
tablishing that certain individuals were actively, extensively, and openly 
engaged in the practice of the grossest frauds upon the Creeks at, about, 
and between certain times, and that many of the same persons, upon full 
and lair notice to attend Colonel Hogan's investigations in Sanford's dis- 
trict, did appear, and directed all their art and energy to prevent the In- 
dians from complaining, using persuasion, money, fraud, and force for 
this purpose, a reasonable and jusi belief arose in my mind that all these 
individuals dealt fraudulently by the Creeks, and that my duly enjoined 
it upon me to require of tiiem that their contracts, fairly affected by the 
evidence, should be substantiated by the exhibition of proofs in their favor; 
and, if these were not forthcoming, to advise the Executive that these 
contracts did not merit favorable consideration. 

4. Where these persons or others have adduced evidence, I have 
given it a careful, and, I trust, impartial consideration; and contrasting it 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 25 

with whatever proofs existed on the other side, came to the conckision 
that appeared to my judgment to be just. 

5. Into approved contracts the commissioners have not inquired, 
there being none which have not been deUvered to the parties, that I am 
aware of, and those tiiat have been are placed beyond their control. 

6. Conformity to the regulations adopted by the Government for the 
guidance of the agents has been deemed indispensable. The War De- 
partment was constantly urging upon those agents the strictest regard for 
these recphrements. They were framed for the safety of the Indian. 
The prescription of them was a command to obedience. In all important 
particulars, a departure from them has been considered fatal. There is 
one feature of them more essential, perhaps, than any other ; a deviation 
from which, tlirows wide open the door of fraud, and as to which, un- 
fortunately, there has been the greatest negligence — I allude to the de- 
scription of the quality of the land, where the price is less than Si 25 per 
acre. The word "pine," or more generally the words "note — pine land," 
are very often employed to describe the quality of the land. And what 
idea is thereby given of it? Pine land may be worth fifty cents, or 
twenty dollars per acre ; and, in fact, these words are used indiscriminately 
where the land sold for 100, where for 200, and where for 250 dollars a 
half section. This disregard of the regulations could not be allowed, and 
such an attempt at description has been considered no com})liiince with 
the rule. 

7. Recertified cases, my own settled convictions and the instructions 
to the commission concur in repudiating, except where the first contract 
has been reversed by the President, or been relinquished by the parties in 
writing, or marked on Colonel Ilogan's abstract "given up" and "re- 
certified." 

S. Were there were omissions, not necessarily fatal to the contract, 
which could be traced to the negligence of the agent, and not to the 
fault of the party, amendment was allowed on the ground that the citizen 
should not suffer for the omission or carelessness of the . public officer. 
The correction of all mere informalities is likewise recommended. 

I). Want of authority in the agent to certify is absolutely destructive 
of the contract. Tiie various letters, conferring, suspending, and revo- 
king this power, were presumed to reach those to whom they were 
severally addressed, in twelve days; and where the validity of an act 
turned on the power to do it, that time was adopted as a general rule. 

Further progress in this complicated business will be reported as soon 
as practicable. 

All whicli is respectfully submitted. 

T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD. 

Hon. J. R. Poinsett, 

Secretary of War. 



26 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 



APPENDIX. 



Regulations for certifying contracts under the Creek treaty of March 

24, 1832. 

War Department, November 28, 1833. 

1st. All applications for certifying contracts under the above treaty, in 
order to procure the assent of the President to the conveyance, shall be 
made in writing, and shall be accompanied with the Avritten contract 
itself. 

2d. If the payments are all made to the satisfaction of the Indian, and 
the fact is clearly established in the opinion of the approving agent, then 
an absolute deed from the Indian to the white person may be certified. 

3d. But if the payments are not all made at the time the parties appear 
before the approving agent, then the contract must distinctly state the 
time and mode of payment, and the amount actually received. 

4th. As a general rule, no contract will be approved unless a considera- 
tion equal, at least, to ^1 25 per acre is paid or secured to the owner. 

5th. In all cases the agent will make such inquiry as may be in his power 
into the actual value of the tract ; and if he believes that such value is 
not paid or secured, he will not certify the contract. 

6th. As, from representations recently received from one of the com- 
missioners appointed to make the locations, it appears that many of the 
tracts are not so valuable as has been heretofore supposed, nor probably 
worth the minimum price fixed for the public lands, the President does 
not think it just thtit that sum should be actually paid in every case. 
When, therefore, a less sum is agreed upon between the parties, the ap- 
proving agent will endeavor to ascertain the actual value of the tract ; and 
if he believes the amount agreed upon is a fair price, he will so certify; 
and his certificate will also contain a general description of the tract, 
agreeably to the best information he procures. In all cases arising under 
this section, the circumstances will be particularly examined by the Pres- 
ident, whose decision will be made as may appear to be just. 

7th. The agent shall in every case, where it is practicable, have an in- 
terview with the Indian, explain to him the transaction, and ascertain 
whether he understands and approves it, on a full consideration of the 
matter. 

Sth. When, however, the Indian cannot appear before the approving 
agent, in such a case the clearest proof must be adduced of the nature 
of the transaction; and the return must show the proof, and must also 
state why the Indian was not present. 

9th. No patent will be granted until the whole payments are com- 
pleted. 

10th. Copies of the contracts, to be furnished by the parties themselves, 
will be retained by the approving agent, and the originals will be trans- 
mitted to this Department for the consideration of the President. 



[ Doc. Ts^o. 452. ] 27 

llth. The approval of the agent will in no case be final, nor will the 
title of the grantee be valid until the President approves the same. Pos- 
session may, however, be taken of the tract as soon as the agent certifies 
the contract ; but, in such a case, the party will be liable to removal if the 
President should decline to approve the same. 

12th. A contract for any tract may be certified as soon as a proper lo- 
cating agent shall assign it to an individual Indian; still, however, it is 
to be observed, that if the President should not confirm such location, the 
whole proceeding, with relation to it, will be void. 

13th. Tiie ceded territory must be so divided by the approving agents 
among themselves, that each may be confined in his operations within a 
given district, so that applications rejected by one agent may not be acted 
upon by another. 

14th. The following is prescribed as the general form of the certifi- 
cate, subject to such variations as circumstances may require : 

I certify that I have examined the contract between A B, a Creek In- 
dian, and C D, for the conveyance to the latter of [here describe the tract, 
agreeably to its designation on the plat of the township;] that the said A 
B has appeared before me, and, after the transaction was fully explained 
to him he approved the same. The sums stated to have been received 
by him were paid in my presence, (or were distinctly acknowledged by 
him, or were clearly proved to have been received, as the case may be.) 
I consider the price given, the full value of the land, and certify the con- 
tract for the consideration of the President of the United States. 

Where the Indian is prevented by proper circumstances from appear- 
ing, then the certificate will be varied, so as to show those circumstances 
and the nature of the proof by which the payments are established. 

Where the price agreed upon is less than Si 25 per acre, the agent 
will add to his certificate a statement that the " land is proved to my satis- 
faction to be of an inferior quality, (being sandy or marshy, or contain- 
ing so many acres only which can be cultivated, or specifying any other 
facts which may have come to his knowledge, showing its quality,) and 
that I consider it worth only [liere insert the sum.]" 

LEWIS CASS. 



Approved, November 2S, 1S33 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



B. 

Supplementary j^ei^u/ui?ons,in addition to those approved by the Presi- 
dent Nove77iber 2S, 1833, for certifying contracts under the Creek 



treaty of March 2 1, 1S32. 



War Department, December IS, 1833. 



In consequence of a representation from one of the certifying agents 
that a construction would be put on the above regulations which would 
inevitably lead to the committing great frauds upon the Indians, in con- 
sequence of the facility of imposing on them, and the ease with which 
declarations or acknowledgments may be procured, the President is de- 



28 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

sirous of guarding against such a result as far as in his power, and of 
securing to every Indian the receipt of a just consideration for his prop- 
erty. 

The following additional and explanatory regulations are therefore 
adopted : 

1st. The payments required by the 2d article of the above regulations 
must be made in the presence of the approving agent, except in the very 
few cases where the Indian may be prevented by illness or inability from 
appearing before the agent. But such cases must be proved by the most 
unexceptionable evidence, as well as the payments made under them ; 
and the circumstances must be distinctly stated for the consideration of 
the President. 

2d. The contract described in the 2d article of the above regulations 
must be entered into subsequent to the location of the reservation. 

Sd. The form in the 14th article will be so varied as to omit the words 
" or were distinctly acknowledged by him, or were clearly proved to have 
been received, as the case may be ;" except in the cases described in the 
1st article of these supplementary regulations, where the Indians are pre- 
vented by disability from personal attendance. 

LEWIS CASS. 

Approved, December IS, 1833. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 



C. 

Supplementary regulations^ in addition to those approved hy the Presi- 
dent November 28 a7)d December 18, 1833, ybr certifying contracts 
under Creek treaty of March 24, 1832. 

War Department, il/«rcA 7, 1836. 

No contracts under the Creek treaty will be certified or recertified after 
the receipt by the certifying agent of these instructions, except in the 
town to which the Indian reservee belongs. And for this purpose, the cer- 
tifying agents will from time to time appoint days, by previous notice, on 
which they will attend in the public square of each town where contracts 
are to be approved. The certifying agents will, in the presence of the 
chiefs and other Indians, ascertain the identity of the Indian claiming the 
land, and such circumstances as may be necessary to show that the bar- 
gain is a just and fair one, well understood by the Indian, and that the 
payments have been made in a proper manner, and agreeably to the 
established regulations. 

When, however, the reservee is disabled by sickness from appearing 
before the agent in the public square of the town, such agent may certify 
a contract after a personal interview with him at his residence, at which 
one or more chiefs shall be present, and at which his identity and the 
fairness of the bargain shall be ascertained. 

Respectfully submitted for the consideration of the President. 

LEWIS CASS. 

Approved, March 7, 1836 : 

ANDREW JACKSON. 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 29 

D. 

TucKABATCiiEE TowN, March 16, 1835. 

We, whose names arc hereunto subscribed, being head chiefs of the 
Creek nation, humbly petition your intervention to stop fraud being prac- 
tised upon our people. It has become notorious that we are daily having 
our lands stolen from us by designing white people. 

The Indians living on the cast side of the nation have long since dis- 
posed of their lands, and are now following the agents in our section of 
country with a band of white speculators, clahning other Indian names, 
and having undisposed of lands certified to. This course of conduct has 
been introduced about twenty days ago, and has succeeded in getting all 
unsold lands, except such of the Indians as the agents are personally ac- 
quainted with. A number of our people have died since beinff located ; 
all such cases are stolen by living Indians, through the influence of white 
men. We believe, without your interference, justice will not be had. We 
pledge ourselves that every statement here made can be established by 
disinterested white people. During the last ten days we have no doubt 
of hundreds of Indian names having been stolen and certified to, when 
the right owners were at home and knew nothing of such contracts. 

We now humbly beg for an investigation to be had, and for the white 
people making such purchases to be requested to produce the Indians be- 
fore the agents, so that such Indian having a just right may have an 
opportunity of establishing his just claim. This course will bring round 
an opportunity of introducing correct proof. We find that such Indians 
as are stealing get but a small pittance in comparison to the fair value; 
for the lands are certified to any large prices, and the money immediately 
taken from them — telling the Indian that it is likely this contract will not 
be approved of. 

W(; sincerely petition you to adopt some plan whereby justice may be 
had. 

We will ever pray, &c. Your red brothers, 

IIOPOTII-LO-IIOLO, his -f mark. 

YOUNG KING, his + mark. 

TUSKENEAIMIAII, his + mark. 

LITTLE DOCTOR, his + mark. 

FOSACTIE iMICCO, his + mark. 

LATTA MICCO, his + mark. 

OLD KING, liis + mark. 

MICCO 0130 Y, his -f mark. 
To the Honorable Secretary of Wah. 



E. 

CoosAWDA, March 23, 1S35. 
Our dear Brotiiek: Wc, the undersigned, chiefs and headmen of the 
Creek tribe of Indians residing east of the Mississippi river, in general 
council assembled, deem it due to oursf^lves, to you, and to our people, to 



30 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

make known to you the situation in which some of us, and many of our 
people, have been placed, by frauds which have been practised upon us 
in the certification of contracts for land. 

We iiad fondly hoped, sir, that after we had sold our territory to the 
United States, reservmg our humble homes, we should have been per- 
mitted to enjoy them unmolested ; or at least, if we should be compelled 
to sell them, the small pittance arising from the sale should belong to us 
and to our children. But, sir, in this we have been mistaken. We were 
informed by our great father, at the time we entered into the treaty by 
which we sold our country, that when we should sell our reservations, he 
would appoint men to superintend the sale of them who were too high- 
minded and honorable, and too far removed from vulgar prejudice and 
sordid attachment, to countenance, in the smallest degree, any frauds that 
might be attempted to be practised upon us; and in order to consummate 
this promise, you, sir, were selected as one of those men. We, sir, were 
pleased with your appointment, and yet esteem you as a man who desires 
to do us justice; but we must assure you, in the language of respectful 
friendship, that the course recently pursued at your office is such as meets 
our disapprobation, and is calculated to oppress and ruin some of our 
people. We write this, therefore, to you, not to censure you, but to ap- 
prize you of facts, which we are bound, in justice to ourselves, to commu- 
nicate. The causes of our complaints are the following: 

We learn that almost all the land in your certifying diL;trict has been 
sold, and what is not sold is protested ; that is, some person has purchased, 
and has not brought forward the reservees for certification. Now, sir, we 
assure you of the fact, that there has been at least one-third of the con- 
tracts for the sale of lands in the towns of Tuckabatchee, Thlobthlocco,or 
James Boy, Clewalla, Tallassee, and Otissee, that are fraudulent, and the 
land certified to the wrong Indian. There are also many other contracts 
of a similar character in other towns. 

We wish not to be understood as charging you with having wilfully 
certified contracts to wrong Indians, although the voice of a part of the 
community cries out against you. We only wish to state these frauds do 
exist, and to excite you to vigilance and perseverance in detecting them. 
In what kind of predicament, sir, are we placed ? An Indian, sir, who 
has sold his land at the instance of some fiendish, designing scoundrel, 
comes before you, and claims the name of another Indian, to whom the 
land rightfully belongs. The money is forthwith given up to the pur- 
chaser, save that portion which was to be given to the Indian as a pre- 
mium for his rascality. 

In this way, sir, a few hundred dollars and four or five Indians could 
sell all the land hi the Creek purchase ; and we know, in this way, hun- 
dreds of contracts have been made. The homes which have been render- 
ed valuable by the labor of our hands, are torn from us by a combination 
of designing speculators, who haunt your office, and who, like the man 
among the tombs, are so fierce that no one can pass that way. The help- 
less widow and orphan, the aged and infirm father, are alike the victims 
of their cupidity. Sir, we have borne with this oppression until forbear- 
ance has ceased to be a virtue, and we are determined to speak out, let 
the consequences be as they may. While we have been at home prepa- 
ring something for our dependent families to subsist on, other Indians have 
sold our homes, our all, the only means for our support; and when we 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] SX 

have applied to you for redress, what has most frequently been the result ? 
Why, sir, that you would inquire into it. You place the burden of proof 
upon us; you exclude the testimony of our people, the only persons who 
can know much satisfactorily in relation to our claims. We are required 
to prove a negative — that we have not been the persons who sold. All of 
which, v/e assert, is oppressive; and although we have the charity to be- 
lieve that you do not design these things to injure us, yet we must state, 
if persisted in, they will work our destruction. But worse than all this, 
and more to be regretted, is the fact, through fear of the merciless horde 
who surround your office, our people cannot speak to you in defence of 
their just rights without subjecting themselves to punishment. 

Sir, we again repeat that we believe you are inclined to do us justice, 
and, under this belief, we rest satisfied that you will adopt some speedy 
and efficient means of detecting and exposing to the world the base 
frauds which have been practised upon yourself and us ; and, in conclu- 
sion, we would humbly suggest that the deeds which have lately been 
certified by you (say within the last thirty or forty days) be retained, and 
that they undergo an investigation, and that hereafter the purchaser or his 
agent be required (as is done elsewhere) to take oath that he believes the 
Indian from whom he has purchased is the Indian located on the land 
sought to be purchased from him. 

We have thought that the condition in which our people have been 
placed required that we talk thus plainly to you ; and in order more effec- 
tually to secure the protection desired, we have sent a communication 
similar to this to the President of the United States, our great father. 
We are, sir, vour red brothers, 

HOPOETHYOHOLO,his x mark. 

LITTLE DOCTOR, his x mark. 

COSA FLXICO, his x mark. 

TUS-TUN-x\UCKEE, his x mark. 

AH-CHO-LOCK HADJO,his x mark. 

COCHACK HADJO, his x mark. 

AHCHULLY HADJO, his x mark. 

TUSKENEAII HAH, his x mark. 

COSATUTUN-NUCKEE, his x mark. 

TUSCONO HADJO, his x mark. 

OPOY FIXICO, his X mark. 

MOMOTTO HADJO, his x mark. 

WILLL\M McGILBRY, his x mark. 

TUSKENEAH HAH,of Kialaga,hisx mark. 

OHITCH FLXICO, his x mark. 

NAHLOCK FIXICO, his x mark. 

AHLOCK BAD JO, his xmark. 

FOSUCH FIXICO, his x mark. 

In presence of J. N. Brodnax and Barent Dubois. 

N. B. One copy of the foregoing was sent to Dr. McHenry, to whom 
it was addressed, and another transmitted to the Commissioner of Indian 
Aflairs, through L. Tarrant, Esq. 



32 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

F. 

TucKABATCHEE, Mavcli 24, 1835. 

^ Sir : On my arrival at Tallassee, and after I had left the council at 
Coosawda, the enclosed was put into my hands. I confess I was not 
pleased at the chiefs making me the medium of their comnumications in 
relation to the conduct of Dr. McHenry as certifying agent. I have 
always entertained the highest opinion of the integrity and honesty of 
Dr. McHenry; and that he has and will pursue a high-minded and honor- 
able course is still my opinion. Yet, if the complaints of the Indians and 
common reports among the whites can be rehed on, frauds have been 
practised upon him to a great extent — perhaps to a much greater extent 
than they have been upon me ; but, with all the vigilance I have been 
enabled to use, they have to some extent been practised upon me ; and if 
the same number of contracts had been certified by me, I am not sure 
that frauds to a great extent might not have been practised upon me. I 
believe that there is an organized plan of operations to deceive the agents, 
and to introduce the wrong Indian to certify or approve contracts. I re- 
quire purchasers or their agents buying Indian reservations, to swear that 
they believe the Indian they introduce is the identical one located on the 
land they are about to purchase ; but if any better plan can be adopted 
to prevent fraud in tlie sales of these lands than has already been made 
under the regulations adopted by the President for our government, I will 
most cheerfully submit to it. It is extremely difficult to get the parties 
again before the agent after a contract has been approved of, as the 
agents have no means to compel the attendance of witnesses when con- 
tracts have been impeached. Should the President suspend the approval 
of contracts, and institute some more efficient mode of detecting the 
frauds which have been committed, all the means in my power shall be 
aflbrded to detect frauds committed in my office by the purchasers of In- 
dian reservations, or the Indians selling the same. 

P'roni all that I could learn at the council, I have no doubt but the 
chiefs are anxious to send a delegation to Wasiiington, to enter into some 
arrangements with the Government in relation to then" emigrating beyond 
the Mississippi, and for other purposes. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

LEONARD TARRANT. 

Elbert Herring, Esq., 

Office of Indian Affairs^ Washington. D. C. 



G. 

Columbus, (Georgia,) March 25, 1835. 

Sir : Gen. J. W. A. Sanford gave me up his book on the 23d instant. 
There are but a few contracts remaining uncertified to on his books. 

I wish you to retain the last packages of certified Creek contracts for 
a short time, for I have no doubt but the wrong Indian has been intro- 
duced and certified to in several instances. I have a number of certified 
contracts remaining in my own hands, which I shall investigate. I have 



[ Doc. Xo. 452. ] 33 

never seen corruption carried on to such perfection in all my life before. 
A number of tlie land purchasers think it rather an honor than a dishonor 
to defraud an Indian out of his land ; and if the agent cannot detect the 
fraud in passing the contract, he cannot prescribe an oath which they wiU not 
take. I do not wish you to understand that all purchasers are so corrupt ; 
for I believe in many instances the purchaser has bought, as he believes, 
from the right Indian ; for you find them roving all over the country, 
assuming ditierent names, and selling lands which do not belong to them, 
and make it matter of speculation. 

If the proper course is pursued this season by the emigrating agent, I 
think a thousand or fifteen hundred Indians will goto Arkansas. 

My own opinion is, if the Government would pay off the annuity im- 
mediately, and insinuate to the head chiefs that it was the last that would 
be paid off here, they would emigrate in a mass. 
Very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 

ROBERT W. McHENRY. 

E. Herring, Esq., 

Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 



H. 
State of Alabama, Chambers County, 

April S, 1835. 
To the President of the United States : 

Sir : We, the undersigned, citizens of the county of Chambers, in the 
State of Alabama, under existing circumstances, feel constrained, from a 
regard for ourselves, and for the principles of justice, to address you on 
the subject of the manner in which a portion of the Creek Indians east 
of the Mississippi river have been, and are now, deprived of their reser- 
vations. We are satisfied that the President would not permit those indi- 
viduals to be thus deprived of the small pittance allowed them by the 
last treaty with our Government, by the artifice and intrigues of a com- 
bination of speculators, were he apprized that such was the f;ict. Our 
proximity to the office of one oi the certifying agents, which is located in 
this county, enables us to speak from observation and indisputable author- 
ity of the manner in which the Indians have been stri])ped of their 
small estate, by imposition practised on the agent, by introducing before 
him the improper Indian. Thus situated, a due respect for ourselves and 
the character of our comnuiuity, as well as a desire that justice should be 
done to the poorest and most humble individual, imperiously require that 
we should apprize you of the manner in which they have been treated, 
and request that you will exercise a prerogative most fortunately granted 
you iu the treaty with those people, of withholding your approval of all 
contracts made and certified to, since the commencement of the fraudu- 
lent practices before alluded to, which, from the best information in the 
possession of the undersigned, Avas about the 18th of February last. It 
is not pretended that none of the contracts certified to by the agent for 
this district, since the aforesaid period, are fair and bona fide ; but it is 
asserted and believed, that the proportion which they bear to the great 
mass of those that are fraudulent and forged, is so small as to render the 



34 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

distinction of the latter class much more desirable than the preservation 
of the former. Since that period they have no hesitation in saying, that, 
by fraudulent and false representations to the agent, and personifying the 
true and proper holder of the location, by introducing another and totally 
different Indian, a most perfect system of swindling has been carried on, 
by which hundreds of these people have, within a few weeks past, been 
deprived, without their knowledge, and of course without their consent, 
of their homes, secured to them by the solemn obligations of a treaty. 
In this way many of the most valuable reservations in the Creek country 
have beencnrtified to, without any consideration whatever passing to the 
proper owner, and in fact none to any one, save the small bribe to tlie 
Indian who personates another ; for the same sum paid before the agent, 
so soon as the parties pass from his immediate presence, is taken from the 
Indian introduced, and made a fund for further and similar operations. 
Thus it has become, since the period before alluded to, a regular business, 
not more distinguished for its baseness and corruption than for the bold- 
ness with which it is carried into execution. Justice requires your in- 
terposition, to prevent the injury which these ignorant and helpless peo- 
ple must otherwise sustain. 

There is a view of this matter which, apart from the injustice which it 
works to the Indians, renders your interference important to your memo- 
rialists. It is highly desirable that these people should emigrate as early 
as possible ; and it is very evident that their late treatment will have the 
effect of continuing them here much longer than they would otherwise 
remain. They have already in many instances (and it is no doubt a gen- 
eral feeling) declared their settled determination to remain until their 
father, the President, restores to them their homes. And they will do so 
until it is done, or their patience exhausted, their hopes vanquished, and 
their confidence in the justice of the Government totally destroyed. May 
not such a course of things drive some of these people into a state of des- 
peration, fatal to the peace and safety of the community in which they 
may happen to live ? 

Again, the title to land thus procured can never be settled and secured. 
It must be the source of endless litigation, in which the innocent, in all 
probability, will most frequently suffer. It must produce, for years to 
come, hi our community, a state of commotion and disquietude greatly to 
be deplored, and the consequences of which can be as easily imagined by 
yourself as detailed by your memorialists. The facts stated are suscep- 
tible of the clearest and most indisputable proof, should they be deemed 
of sufficient importance to attract your attention or justify an investiga- 
tion. And your memorialists have taken the liberty, for reasons before 
stated, to suggest them, relying with the utmost confidence in the entire 
disposition oTthe President to do these people every justice in his power. 

Charles McLemore, Silas Hobzelaw, Alexander Wadford, 

Lewis Mcintosh, H. T. Dawson, E. Henry, 

George W. Gafford, Baxter Taylor, S. B. Robertson, 

Michael B. Spaden, Michael Maddox, Jerry Driver, 

Carey Cox, Samuel Thompson, William Z. Croughton, 

Charles Smith, John J. Dunn, A. F inlay, 

T. M. Sims, W. W. Carlisle, S. W. Clements, 

Elijah Ray, John J. Williams, D. M. Anderson, 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 



35 



John McQueen, 

Hardy Jones, jr., 
Lemuel Gresham, 
Enoch Fagan, 
James McDonald, 
Obadiah Harris, 
James Williams, 
F. A. Smith, 
Jeremiah Gafford, 
Thomas E. Russell, 



A. Deale, 
Eaton Boss, 
A. R. Beall, 
M. Phillips, 
John Farley, 
Henry Williamson, 
James T. I^ivingston, 
James M. Lyon, 
Nathaniel H. Greer, 
Green Lee HoUey, 



Samuel R. Moss, 
Amos T. Moss, 
G. D. Ansley, 
James G. Jones, 
William Adkins, 
Edmund Hanby, 
Johnson Sawell, 
William Giddins, 
William H. House, 
E. Beler. 



I. 

At a meeting of the citizens of ]\Iacon county and its vicinity, held at 
the house of James Abercrombie, on the 19th day of May, 1835, Colonel 
Joseph H, Howard was called to the chair, and Sampson Lanier ap- 
pointed secretary. The object of the meeting being explained by the 
chairman, on motion, the following committee was appointed : Major 
Jolm H. Brodnax, Captain James Abercrombie, Thomas M. Cowles, T. 
P. Redding, William Dick, Amos Green, John S. Green, Henry Rugely, 
Charles A. Abercrombie, Joseph P. Clough, Barent Dubois, and Stephen 
Day. 

'Fhe following preamble and resolutions were entered into : 

Whereas great fraud has recently bjen committed in obtaining titles to 
lands belonging to Indians, without their knowledge or consent in any 
way whatever. The person connnittino: such frauds, or rather stealing 
the land? of the Indians, has some other Indian whom ire has drilled with 
the description of the locations and other matters in relation to the land. 
The Indian, when thus drilled, and a new song put into his mouth, goes 
before the certifying agent, and ])asses his land by certificate, as being the 
real Indian owning that tract of land, to the stealer or white man, who 
immediately scuds such certificate to Washington city for the approval of 
the President. The Indians, who are the rightful owners of the land, 
knowing nothing of this foul and dishonest transaction until nearly all 
their lands have been swept from under them. 

And whereas we believe it yet in the power of the President to check 
this evil in a great degree, by withholding his approval from all bonds 
certified to since the 10th day of January, 1835; and require all lands 
that have been certified since that period to be recertified in each town, in 
the presence of their chiefs and headmen, who are ready and wiUing to 
assist in putting down this fraud ; it is most devoutly to be wished that 
the President will exercise his power over this subject in such a way as 
will corregt the past, and prevent the repetition of these wrongs for the 
future. 

And whereas, more elfectually to carry into view the expression of this 
meeting, they most earnestly request the President of the United States to 
give in charge to his agents superintending the certifications of contracts 
for lands which have been complained of as being fraudulent, that the pur- 
chaser be required to produce the Indian purchased from at the time of 
the investigation. 



36 [ Uoc. Xo. 452. J 

And he it therefore resolved, That tliis meeting agree to exercise all 
iiitiueuce in their power to detect and put down all frauds, and to give 
the agents superintending, as aforesaid, every inrorniation which they 
may be in possession of, appertaining to the base transactions of peison- 
ating the Indian justly entitled to the lands, and thereby defrauding him 
out of his rights. 

Jind he it further resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be 
signed by die chairman, and countersigned by the secretary; that the 
secretary be requested to forward a copy of the same to tiic President of 
the United States, and a copy to the editor of the Alabama Journal for 
publication, with a request that all editors friendly to good order will give 
it an insertion in their respective papers. 

J. II. HOWARD, Chairman. 

Sampson Lanieu, Secretary. 



K. 

Department of War, April 28, 1835. 

Sir : Herewith you will receive copies of certain papers which have 
been transmitted to this Department, stating the existence of gross frauds 
in the pretended purchase of their reservations from the Creek Indians. 
These statements, if correct, certainly exhibit a state of things requiring 
immediate correction. The frauds appear to consist in the personation 
by one Indian of another, in the amount and payment of the purchase 
money, and in the corrupt practices of at least one justice of the peace, 
ill the attestation of blank papers, which the parties have it in their 
power to fill up. Under the present circumstances you will suspend the 
certifying of all contracts until you receive directions to renew it from 
this Department, and you will give public notice of this histruction. None 
of the contracts now before the President will be approved until the ne- 
cessary investigations are made to ascertain their fairness. They will be 
retained here, and abstracts of them, containing tlie necessary facts, will 
be transmitted to you as soon as they can be prepared. When these ab- 
stracts are received, you will publicly notify the parties of the suspension 
and investigations which have been ordered. Those contracts which you 
have certified and not forwarded, you will retain for subsequent disposi- 
tion. If there are any of those which the President has approved yet 
in your possession, you will not deliver them to the parties without fur- 
tlier instructions. 

it is the object of the Department to provide against the recurrence of 
these evils, if it be possible ; and I have to call upon you to make such 
iiuggestions as may occur to you, of a jiractical nature, best calcukited to 
produce this effect. It is to be hoped that the conduct attributed to the 
justice of the peace, of certiiying blank papers, cannot prevail much among 
the public officers in that part of the State. It is possible, however, that 
it may be more extensive than I suppose ; and I have, therefore, to re- 
quest your opinion, whether it would be expedient to restrict the author- 
ity of certifying such papers to a less numerous class of magistrates than 
justices of the peace — say to judges of the State courts. I am unwilling 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 37 

to give such directions in the first instance, because I do not know the 
inconveniences to which it may lead. 

With respect to the personification of one Indian by another, some 
remedy seems absohitely necessary. I am aware of the difficulty \vhich 
you may experience in establishing the identity of an Indian presenting 
himself before you, as I perceive that false witnesses may be easily pro- 
cured. It occurs to me that if you were to receive and certify contracts 
only at stated places, in the various Indian towns, and upon particular 
days to be fixed beforehand, when and where the Indians would assem- 
ble, and if all contracts were declared in the presence of those thus con- 
vened together, an entire check would be put to this fraudulent practice. 
It is hardly to be presumed that an Indian would present himself before 
a whole community perfectly acquainted with him, and claim to be a dif- 
ferent person, and enter into a contract to convey away that person's land. 
And certainly, if such an attempt were made, it is not possible but that 
some of those around would state the true circumstances, and tluis pre- 
vent the fraud. 

Yon will please to communicate your views respecting this snggcstion, 
stating particularly the places where yon may think it proper to meet the 
Indirns. I do not suppose it would be by any means necessary to visit 
every town, bnt only such place witbin each siven district as may be 
convenient ibr the jiroper assenihlau-e of llic Indians. Tlie time might be 
fixed at each place m succession, depending upon the probable amount 
of business to be done. This De])artment would, of course, expect, were 
this plan adopted, to allow, in addition to your present compensation, 
your necessary travelling expenses. 

Is it possible to devise any better plan than that provided by the ex- 
istin2 regulations for the ])aymont and security to each Indian of the fair 
amoimt of the j)nrchasc-money he ought to receive? If it is, any practi- 
cal suggestions you may make, and which may appear reasonable, will 
be immediately adopted. You have already had so much experience in 
this matter, that you cannot fail to have discovered the evils to which the 
Indians are exposed, and probably the best means of obviating ihem. 

If the statements which have been made to this Department are cor- 
rect, a lanre proportion of the contracts which have been formed since the 
beginnint: or middle of last February are fraudulent. Without deter- 
mining this fact, and thereby prejudging the rights of individuals, there 
is certainly good reason for suspecting the whole, and therefore for insti- 
tuting the proper investigations. How is this best to be done? Shall 
all the contracts be declared void on the ground of fraud, and the parties 
be required, in everv case, to exhibit the proofs before you ; or can a suffi- 
cient security against those fraudulent transactions which have taken 
place be interposed by an investigation which you can make into such 
cases as you have reason to believe, or as may be represented to you, to 
be fraudulent? In one case, the presumption of fraud, applying to all, 
every grantee would be required to exhibit his proofs de. novo. In the 
other, the investigation, proceeding from the Government, would apply 
only to such cnses as were presumed to require it. Your ideas upon this 
subject are requested. 

In conducting these investiG^ntions, the same plan, it appears to me, 
would be most efficient in detecting fraud, which is suggested above for 
the prevention of it in future; and that is, to inquire into the matter in 



38 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

every neighborhood where the contracting Indians reside, and to have 
the whole transaction developed in the presence of the various Indians 
who may be assembled. In this, and in the former case, it would greatly 
promote the object in view, by giving tlie necessary previous notice of 
the day of meethig, and the nature of the business, in order that the In- 
dians might be present. 

The object of this communication, as you will perceive, is to suspend. 
all operations connected with the sale of the Creek lands until proper in- 
formation can be received concerning the existence and extent of the 
frauds complained of, and the best method of preventing their recurrence. 
1 have, therefore, to request your sentiments in full upon these topics. 
It is a subject on which the President feels great solicitude ; and I cannot 
too forcibly impress its importance upon your attention. 

The representations made lead to the belief that this fraudulent prac- 
tice, of purchasing from one Indian the land of another, has prevailed 
only since the middle of last February. This, however, may be other- 
wise ; and if any cases of that nature have previously occurred, and if the 
contracts have been approved by the President, still the fraud is not be- 
yond the reach of the Government. Applications have frequently been 
made for a " title," as provided in the 3d article of the Creek treaty ; but 
the President has not felt himself authorized to furnish any other evi- 
dence of conveyance than the one expressly pointed out m the treaty 
itself. It is possible that some legislative provision may be made requir- 
ing patents to be issued ; and in that case it is clear, that if land belonging 
to one Indian has been conveyed by another, the transaction was abso- 
lutely void, and no title would be granted by the United States in conse- 
quence of such a contract. And, besides this, it may be proper for the 
Government to interpose, through the judicial tribunals, for the vacation 
of any contracts thus stamped by fraud, although they may have been 
approved by the President. There can be no doubt of the power of a 
court of justice to apply the necessary remedy. 

It is, therefore, desirable to know whether such cases exist ; and, if they 
do, to identify them, and to discover such proof as might be necessary 
to establish fraud. You will be pleased to direct your attention to this 
suggestion, and to communicate such information as you may be able to 
procure on the subject. Common humanity, as well as justice, requires 
of the Government that every measure in its power should be adopted to 
prevent the gross impositions which have been practised upon the igno- 
rant Indians. 

A similar letter has been sent to Dr. McHenry ; and General Sanford 
and Mr. Bright have also been consulted on the subject. 
Very respectfully, yours, &c., 

LEWIS CASS. 

Leonard Tarrant, Esq., 

Mardisville, Jllabama. 



L. 

War Department, March 11, 1S36, 

Gentlemen : I transmit herewith a copy of the report made by Colo- 
nel Hogan on Dr. McHenry's report of the result of his investigation of 
contracts certified by him under the Creek treaty. 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 39 

This report embraces five classes of cases: 1st, cases not prosecuted ; 
2d, cases given up ; 3d, of special reports or affidavits; 4th, of transfers 
to General Sanford's district ; 5th, of cases in which the ground of re- 
versal is not stated. Of the 1st, there are 369; of the 2d, 205; of the 
3d, 37 : of the 4th, 2 ; of the 5th, 43. From the explanatory remarks 
appended to the tabular report, it is to be inferred that the first class em- 
braces two kinds of cases — 1st, those in which the purchaser did not ap- 
pear; and, 2dly, those in which he appeared, but failed to bring the In- 
dian of whom he purchased, or adduce sufficient evidence to support his 
claim. The number of each khid cannot be ascertained, nor is the evi- 
dence that was offered, or an abstract of it, communicated. It docs not 
appear either, as it should, that in all cases proper notice was given, and 
the parties assigned or refused to assign any reason for not attending the 
investigation. It is obviously impossible for the President to act upon 
this part of the report. 

In the second class of cases — those given up — by which it is understood 
the purchasers, in the presence of the agent, agreed to surrender their 
contracts, the Department will suspend its action for the present. They 
will, however, ultimately be reversed, unless something shall occur to call 
for a different course; and the recertified contracts will be approved, if no 
valid objection should be made to them. 

The enclosed statement will show you the result of the examination of 
tlie affidavits and special reports ; where the reversal is approved, other 
bonds may be certified; in the others, the first contract will not be touch- 
ed. In the fourth class, the reason for the transler should be stated. In 
the fifth class, the reversal cannot even be considered ; there is nothing 
on which the Department can act. 

The report is, therefore, returned for your joint revision. And I ask 
your special attention to the instructions of Colonel Ilogan, of January 
15th, a copy of which was sent to Mr. Burney and IMr. Anderson. Those 
instructions limit your investigations to cases in which probable cause is 
shown for suspecting fraud. They require, in such cases, proper notice 
of the investigation to be given to the purchasers ; that the evidence 
taken shall be in the form of atlidavits, where the witnesses understand the 
nature of an oath, and the reduction of all the testimony received to writing; 
that an abstract of these cases, (including, of course, a summary of the 
evidences on both sides,) shall be forwarded for the consideration of the 
President ; and that no contracts shall be recertified prior to his action, 
but upon the admission of the parties in writing. With the report that 
has been transmitted, no abstract of the evidence is furnished. 

You are requested to re-examnie this whole matter together. As it is 
admitted by Dr. McHenry that the report he transmitted to Colonel Ho- 
gan was but a copy of the register he kept, (of which last the original 
cannot now be used,) it will be proper for you to compare the copy now 
sent to you with the rsgister, which he has requested his brother to deliv- 
er to Major Abbott. If there are any discrepancies, you will ascertain, 
in the best manner you can, which is the correct entry. Having done 
this, you will fix upon the times at which you will attend in the public 
square in each town, for the purpose of investigating these cases, and give 
notice in the newspapers, by hand-bills, and in any other convenient 
mode, to the purchasers. 



40 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

In this notice it should be distinctly stated that, if they do not appear, 
an ex-purie investigation will take place. No evidence will be received, 
which is offered as opinion or belief of the witnesses, founded on what 
they have heard or understood. The witnesses should speak from tiieir 
own knowledge of the facts. Any other testimony is deemed insufficient 
to authorize the reversal of a contract. Ample opportunity should be 
given every Indian reservee to regain or secure his just rights ; but in- 
ducements should not be held out to any to present complaints. The 
delay which will be occasioned by this new examination is to be regret- 
ted, and the Department urges upon you the importance of promptly com- 
pleting it, and of proceeding with the general investigation with vigor, and 
with as much rapidity as may be consistent with correctness and a just 
regard to the rights of all parties. 

It is proper for me to add, that it is not intended by returning this re- 
port to cast the slightest reflection upon Colonel Hogan. The confidence 
of the Department in him is undiminished. But in the exercise of the 
power vested in the President by the treaty, he must form his own judg- 
ment on facts presented to him, and not upon the opinions of others. 

Very, &c. 

LEWIS CASS. 

To Col. J. B. HoGAx, Columbus, Georgia. 
J. W. BuRNEY, Monticello, Georgia. 
Col. Geo. D. Anderson, Decatur, De Kalb county, Georgia. 



M. 

War Department, May 19, 1836. 

Gentlemen : Intelligence just received from the Creek country in 
Alabama shows that the Creek Indians are now in a state of actual hos- 
tilities. Under these circumstances they must be considered as enemies ; 
and it is, therefore, impossible at present to continue the investigations of 
the alleged frauds coimetted with the sale of their lands. The object at 
present is to reduce them to submission, and to remove them witliout fur- 
ther delay to the country west of the JNlississippi. You will, therefore, 
close your business, transmitting to the office of Indian Affairs such of 
your papers as will be useful here, together with a report of your pro- 
ceedings as far as you have gone. The military commanding officer will 
be directed to disarm the whole body of Indians, and to remove them by 
military force to the country west of the Mississippi. After this is effect- 
ed and quiet restored, such measures will be taken as may seem to be re- 
quired : on the subject of their land claims, your services will therefore no 
longer be required, and your accounts will be paid on presentation. You 
will likewise discharge all the persons emploj^ed under vou. 

To Col. J. B. I-IOGAN, 
Col. G. D. Anderson, 
J. W. BuRNEY, Tuskcgee, Alahama. 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 41 

N. 

War Department, 
Office Indian Jiff airs, September 18, 1S35. 
Sir : On the 28th of April last you were instructed to suspend the certi- 
lying of contracts, until you should receive directions to renew it from the 
Department. 

It has recently been represented to the department that there are some 
Creek Indians having reservations, and about which there is no dispute, 
who are disposed to sell them. 

I arn instructed to say, that in all such cases you are authorized to pro- 
ceed in certifying contracts, being governed by the instructions heretofore 
communicated to you on this subject. The business was suspended for 
the benefit of the Indians, and the same motive now induces its renewal. 
The policy of the Government is, and always has been, in favor of the 
Indians selling on fair and equitable terms. The suspension was occa- 
sioned solely by an abuse of the terms prescribed by the department. 

Very, &c. 

ELBERT HERRING. 
To Leonard Tarrant, Esq., 

Alardisville. *'ilahama. 



0. 

War Department, 
Office Indian ^Iffairs, September 26, 1835. 
Sir : I have received yonr letter of the ]2tli instant, addressed to the 
Secretary of War, with the accompanying list of fraudulent contracts. 

TTntil you are otherwise instnu-tcd by this department, you are re- 
quested to sus])end all recertification of contracts for lands made prior to 
the 28th of April last, as also certification of sales since that day. 
Respectfully, &c. 

ELBERT HERRING. 
To Dr. R. W. McHenrv, 

Columbus, Georgia. 



War Department, June IS, 1835. 
Sir : in addition to the instructions heretofore given you, the President 
directs that you certit'y no contracts not made in the presence of the re- 
servee and yourself, and upon which the money is not actually paid in 
your presence. 

You will examine with special care every case in which you have 
given certificates without these precautions, and require the reservee to 
be brought before you and identified by the chiefs. 

Very, &c. 

C. A. HARRIS, 
%dcting Secretary of War. 
Dr. R. W. iMcIIenry, 

IVest Pointy Troup county j Georgia. 



42 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

Q. 

War Department, 
Office Indian Affairs, October 14, 1835. 
Sir : I have received your letter of the 20th iikimo, in which you state 
you have had a recent interview with the Tuclvabatchee chiefs, and they 
are anxious to emigrate this fall, and are in fact disposing of their per- 
sonal property preparatory to that event. 

Their speedy removal being pregnant with advantages both to them 
and to our own people, I am sure you will expedite it by all your exer- 
tions and influence. 

It was not intended by the letter of the acting Secretary of War of the 
ISth June last, to authorize you to resume the duties of a certifying agent. 
But as yon have construed that letter into such authority, you will of 
course submit those contracts to the examination of Colonel Hogan. 
Very respectfully, &c. 

ELBERT HERRING. 
To Dr. R. W. McHenry, 

Columbus, Georgia. 



R. 

War Department, 
Office Indian Affairs, October 28, 1835. 

Sir : It has been represented to the department that there are many 
Creek Indians anxious to sell their reservations, and to which there is 
no conflicting claim. 

You win, therefore, resume your duties as certifying agent, under the 
instructions heretofore given ; confining yourself to those cases which 
have never before been certified by you, and which, of course, exclude 
all recertification. And you cannot fail to perceive, from the complaints 
which have already been made on this subject, that the utmost vigilance 
will be necessary to prevent fraud, and to do justice to all concerned. 

Very, &c. 

ELBERT HERRING. 
To Leonard Tarrant, Esq., 

Mardisville, Alabama. 

A similar letter was addressed to Dr. McHenry. 



War Department, 
Office Indian Affairs, May ^Q), 1836. 
Sir: The state of hostilities in the Creek country renders it necessary 
to discontinue the business of certifying contracts for reservations. I am 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 43 

instructed to request that you will complete your reports without delay, 
and transmit the contracts you have certified, with such papers as may 
be necessary to a right understanding of the whole matter. You will 
transmit, at the same time, your accounts, made out hi the usual form. 

Very, &c. 

Leonard Tarrant, Esq., Mardisville, Alabama. 

Major Thomas J. Abbott, Tiiskegee, Alabama. 

John Staton, Esq., Mardisville, Alabama. 

Col. J. B, HoGAN, Fort Mitchell and Tuskegee, Alabama. 

Adding, in the copy sent to the last, the following : 

You will perceive, from the foregoing, which is a transcript of a letter 
to the certifying agents, that their services are dispensed with. As the 
letters may not reach them in the present unsettled state of things in the 
Creek country, you are requested, if in your power, to notify them of 
this fact. 

I am also instructed to request you will give General Jcsup any in- 
formation he may require respecting the nivcstigation in which you have 
been engaged. Very, &c. 



Green's, near Tuskegee, September 17, 1S3G. 

Office of the Coimnissioners appointed to exainine the frauds 
alleged to have been practised in the sale of Creek lajids, 
and into the causes of the late hostilities of the Creek 
Indians. 
The undersigned commissioners, appointed for the pui^poses aforesaid, 
hereby give notice that they have adopted the following rules and regu- 
lations for the transaction of the business committed to their charge : 

1. The secretary to the commissioners will forthwith open a docket of 
all the cases concerning the titles to land in the Creek country which are 
depending and undecided. 

2. In every case in which a party claims a tract of land in the Creek 
country, and whose title has not been decided upon by the proper author- 
ity, such party will file a memorial by himself or counsel, addressed to 
the commissioners, setting forth the grounds of his claim, and filing there- 
with whatever written evidences he may have of the validity of his claim. 
Sucii party is required to file the same with the secretary Avithin forty 
days from the foregoing date. 

3. In all cases in which an Indian claims title to any tract of land in 
the Creek country, and the same is claimed adversely by a white man, 
the district attorneys of the United States will be assigned as the counsel 
of the Indian, to see that his case is properly presented for decision. 

4. In all cases in which any individuals or associations of individuals 
or companies (other than Indians) claim title to Indian lands adversely, 
the contending jiarties shall file their memorials, setting forth their chain 
of title ; and if either party relies on parol evidence to establish his, her, 



44 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

or their claim or claims, application must be made by themselves or coun- 
sel, in writing, to take the deposition of wimesses ; which applications the 
commissioners will grant, prescribing such terras as to them shall seem 
proper in the premises. 

5. Each party to any case depending before the commissioners may 
file a written argument to establish the superiority of his claim to the 
land in question, and cite any legal authorities that he or his counsel may 
suppose apply to the principles advanced in such argument. 

6. It is required that the memorials which may be filed shall set forth 
distinctly and fully the case of the party filing the same ; and each ad- 
verse party shall receive from the secretary a copy of the memorial of his 
opponent, whenever desired by a written application to the commissioners 
for the same. 

7. In all cases of complication and difficulty, the commissioners will 
deliver written opinions, copies of which will be furnished to the parties 
interested therein, free of all charge. 

8. Parties who are required by these regulations to file their memo- 
rials, are requested to do so as soon as they are able, consistently with 
the convenience of themselves or coimsel, that the commissioners may 
proceed to dispose of the cases at an early day, and put the parties in the 
way of perfecting their titles by patents from the United States. 

9. Further regulations, if circumstances shall render them necessary, 
will be made by the commissioners in regard to the matters committed 
to their charge, of which due public notice will be given in the several 
districts of the Creek country. 

T. HARTLEY CRAWFORD, 
ALFRED BALCH, 

Commissioners. 



U. 

Green's, near Tuskegee, October 17, 1S36. 
Office of the Comm,issioncrs appointed to hwestigate al- 
le,s;ed frauds in the sale of Indian reservations in the 
Creek nation. 

NOTICE TO CLAIMANTS OF INDIAN RESERVATIONS. 

There have been transmitted to the undersigned, from the War De- 
partment, a large number of contracts, which have been rejected by the 
proper authorities, because the same were not executed according to the 
rules and regulations prescribed to purchasers of Indian reservations, and 
to which no objection may be taken by Indians, or other persons claim- 
ing adversely : and there have also been transmitted to the undersigned 
a large number of contracts for reservations, which have been reversed 
by agents of the United States acting in the Creek country, and which 
stand impeached before us. 

The first class of the said claimants are hereby notified that they must, 
if they wish their claims to be confirmed, file their memorials with the 
secretary to this board, within forty days from this time, setting forth the 
informalities found in their contracts, and farnishi'.ig such proofs by de- 



[ Doc. Xo. 452. ] 45 

positions of witnesses as will authorize their correction. All the neces- 
sary information to enable those persons to file their memorials will be 
atlbrded by tiie secretary to the commissioners. 

The second class of the said claimants are hereby notified that, if they 
wisii to set up the contracts which have been impeached and reversed, 
they must file tiieir memorials, as prescribed in the rules and regulations 
adopted by this board on the 17th September last, and made public ; and 
tliey are further hereby notified, that they will be furnished by the sec- 
retary to this board with such information, derived from the contracts in 
its possession, as will enable such claimants to state ail the facts and alle- 
viations necessary to be set forth in their memorials, before the same can 
be received, and permission given to take such proofs as the litigant par- 
ties may think it necessary or proper to adduce before any decisions are 
made bv this board. 

t. hartley crawford, 
alfrp:d balch, 

Co m m issioners. 



W. 

State of Alabama, Chambers county : 

Deposition of Arnold Scale, taken before Felix Stanley, an acting justice 
of the peace in and for said county, to be read in all cases to which it 
may apjily, which are now pending before Thomas H. Crawford and 
Alfred Jialch, (!sqnircs, now sitting as commissioners to investigate the 
I'rauds alleged to have been committed in the sale of Creek Indian 
reservations, &lc. 

This deponent, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he resided at 
the olfice of Doctor INIcHenry, during the time that he was certifying 
Creek Indian reservations, and was acquainted with most of the traders 
who were purchasing Indian lands in the Creek country. Some time in 
the month of February, 1S35, he learned, by report, tliat persons were 
stealing land at Columbus before General Sanl'ord. A short time after- 
wards, McIIcnry was called on by the Columbus company to go down to 
the lower part of his district to certify contracts; on his relnrn, he in- 
formed me that he had certified a great many contracts during that trip 
below ; and lie intbrmed me that in a few days there would be a great 
many Indians brought up to be certified, by the people from Columbus 
and the lower part of the district. Accordingly, in a few days they began 
to pour in from dili'ercnt quarters, and I found there was a great confu- 
sion among them before they would connnence certifying in relation to 
their Indians. I ascertained from Thomas S. Woodward and others their 
plan of operations. W^oodward stated that they should not certify until 
they liad made arrangements with him. He afterwards told me they had 
done it ; that he was not to certify any lands to the company, but that he 
was to be silent, and was to draw an equal share with them. There 
were to be ten shares in this company, as they afterwards informed me. 
Tiiey reported two men to each share ; I do not now recollect all of their 
names, but, so far as I do recollect, they were D. McDougald, General J. 



4i [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

C. Watson, N. M. and D. Thornton, Columbus Mills, Luther Blake, Mc- 
Daniel, J. A. Hudson, Woodland, Walker, and the two Fitzpatricks were 
to draw the tenth share : there were also Paddy Carr, J. G. Worsham, 
E. S. Shorter, and I thnik Peabody and Hale ; the balance I do not now 
recollect. They informed me they had other men operating for them on 
shares ; that they furnished Wadsworth with money, and also Chamber- 
lain and others. It appeared that Shorter, B. P, Tarver, the Scotts, and 
E. Corley formed another company, and Milton J. Tarver, Job Taylor, 
Johnson, and Hargroves, another ; and George Stone, Brooks, Strange 
McBride, Mitchell, the Hadens, J. J. McCrory, the Cravens, John Mc- 
Queen, and Samuel Williams — these all appeared to be active operators, 
and, I believe, certified a great many contracts during the land-stealing. 
A good many contracts were certified to A. J. Robinson &: Co. Robinson, 
it appears, was interested in different companies. One part of A. J. 
Robinson's contracts, it appeared, that Williams, Gilder, and Vann were 
interested in ; which contracts Vannhas informed me that he held them, 
and would not give them up, nor sufier them to be put oft' by Robinson, 
Some time in the early part of March, 1S35, the land-stealers were crowd- 
ing into the oliice by droves, and certifying contracts very fast, and it 
appeared as though they would steal all the Indians' land ; they seemed 
to carry on the business in the way of sport ; and Wadsworth toasted a 
little crowd in my presence, " Here's to the man that can steal the most 
land to-morrow, without being caught at it." About this time I opposed 
them, and got into a difficulty, when Hargroves threatened to kill any 
man who would oppose them ; that he believed that every man who was 
trading with the Indians was stealing lands ; that he was, and that I was 
a fool if I did not go into it. I then informed the agent that they were 
stealing the land, and boasted of it in my presence when he was absent. 
McHenry then closed his book on them, and refused to certify for one 
day. There were various propositions made to me by different members 
of these companies ; some to join them, and some not to oppose their 
contracts. Dozier Thornton proposed to give me the best section of land 
he had in the country, if I would pass by (that is, not oppose) the contracts 
when his name was read against a stolen contract. At this time, I beg- 
ged him to quit the business, as it was too base for any honest man to be 
engaged in it. Nat. Macon Thornton tried me at different times to get 
me to join them, setting forth different reasons : one was, that our Govern- 
ment was sunk, and nothing but money would bear a man up after this 
time ; another was, that it was better to give an Indian ten dollars than 
one thousand dollars, as money only proved a curse to Indians ; another 
was, that he respected me, and wished me to make a fortune while it was 
in my power ; that now was the time, and I must be simple if I did not 
go into it. I was tried by Thomas S. Woodward at different times ; he 
stated that I was very much in their way ; and that, if I was out of the 
way, they did not ask the balance of the company any odds ; he wanted 
to know what I would take and quit the country, and not operate any 
more in the nation ; I replied that I would take five thousand dollars ; 
which he thought was a small sum ; but I required of him that they 
should give up all the lands they had stolen, and bind themselves not to 
steal any more, which he would not agree to do. I then informed him 
that their company was not worth money enough to put me down. After 
this, McDougald came to me, to make arrangements with me, and we 



[ Doc. No. 462. ] 47 

agreed on the terms of a compromise, which were, that he and his com- 
pany were to give up all their stolen contracts, and guaranty to me and 
my company the right of buying and recertifying the true Indians. Wil- 
liam Dougherty and myself went to Columbus, and drew up articles of 
agreement to that eflect, and presented them to the company ; when D. 
Tliornton objected to sign them, for the reason that it would be an open 
confession of havhig stolen the land, and that they had some regard for 
character ; and the compromise was not eftected. McDougald seemed to 
be anxious, and stated to me that he was willing to pay the right Indians 
for their land, but that the business had become dull, and they had adopt- 
ed this plan to bring about a reaction, and cause the true owners to sell 
their lands. I informed these men that this land, stealing would cause in- 
nocent blood to be shed ; that the Indians were declaring daily that they 
would kill any white man who would come and settle on their lands, as 
they had never sold their land ; and I informed them that innocent farm- 
ers would be the sufferers, as they would buy the land, and would move 
on it. I I'earcd that it would cause the innocent to be killed, as the In- 
dians would kill the man that would take possession of their land ; but 
they would not cease from the evil of their way. This deponent further 
states, that, during this certifying of lands, there were a large number of 
contracts which appeared, from the books, to be certified to Thornton and 
others, with the true owners of which this deponent was intimately ac- 
quainted ; he states that h.e was in and about the office daily, and did not 
see these Indians on the ground. Witness further states, that he ke])t pro- 
visions for sale, and that those companies of land-stcalers did buy a large 
quantity of provisions, and furnish the Indians with them, both at the 
office and in the camp. It seemed to be almost impossible to keep a sup- 
ply, as the number was so great. At some times, there were, he thinks, 
from four to five hundred, and from that to one thousand Indians in their 
camps. Witness stat(;s that he was acquainted with some of tlie Indians 
belonging to the Upper U-fau-la town ; Nioke was one, who was located 
to s. 7, 21, 22. This Indian's land was stolen. Pars-coaf-hadjo, who 
was located to w. 9, 20, 24 ; this case was given up by N. M. Thornton, 
and was recertified to J. J. Kidd in my presence. Jonathan A. Hudson 
and D. Thornton did give up the s. 12, 16, 24, which was located to an 
Indian named Talliah, of the Coosa wda town : this contract was after- 
wards recertified to himself and J. A. Hudson. James Abercrombie, 
after hearing the statement of the witnesses, gave up the case of Simmecar, 
who was located to w. 1, 17, 23. He stated that he did not know the In- 
dian, and that he had been imposed upon, and would not coiUend for the 
land ; afterwards it was recertified to deponent. N. M. Tliornton gave 
up some contracts, that were afterwards recertified to Washburn. Wit- 
ness states that Ik; has seen various contracts given up by various per- 
sons. Deponent states that he did attend the investigations in McHeiiry's 
strictly, and generally with a strong company ; that the company pledged 
themselves that there should be a fair investigation. The company was 
strong, because there had been various threats made by the land-stealers 
to kill some of both whites and Indians who should try to break up the 
stolen contracts. Deponent knows that Doctor McHenry gave public 
notice of the time and place of holding the investigations ; deponent saw 
advertisements to that elfect at difierent times, and at various places, no- 
tifying all persons interested to attend to their claims ; and he knows that 



48 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

many of the land-stcalers did attend, and some of them seemed to be wil- 
hng to give up their stolen contracts. Tliey stated they were driven to 
the act by the Cokmibus company ; that they liad made advances to the 
true liolders of the land, and they had to adopt this plan to secure their 
advance-money. Deponent states, that among those were Job Taylor, 
George Stone, Philip Fitzpatrick, and Thomas S. Woodward. These all 
seemed willing to give up their stolen contracts, and were rebuying of 
the right Indians, and recertifying them. These men stated to me that 
they did oppose this plan of operation, but could not put it down. Depo- 
nent has seen Woodward point out contracts to Doctor McHenry, on his 
book, which he stated were stolen; that he knew the right Indians, and 
knew they had not been introduced before the agent; that he was inter- 
ested in the contracts, though his name was not run ; and that he felt au- 
thorized to give them up. Deponent further states, that he attended the 
investigations held by Colonel J. B. Hogan, in Sanford's district, with the 
exception of a few days ; he knows that Colonel Hogan gave public no- 
tice of the time and place of holding his investigations, and called on those 
complained of, when they were present, to make their defence, if they had 
any ; these persons were often present. Deponent states, that the first 
investigation he attended, in Sanford's district, was held at Fort Mitchell. 
The Indians seemed to be backward in coming up before the agent ; wit- 
ness states that he was in and about the camps, about three miles from 
the place, where there seemed to be several hundred Indians. The In- 
dians stated they were furnished with beef by Paddy Carr, Mills, Blake, 
and, I think, Hudson. They further stated, they were told by these men 
not to go before Hogan to complain ; that Hogan only wanted to enrol 
them, to send them oif to Arkansas. Witness states that he found the 
land-stealcrs very strong. Witness did not expect that justice could be 
done, in consequence of their influence, and he returned to Chambers 
county to make up a company and get interpreters ; which he did, and 
then returned to Sanford's district. Before deponent got back. Colonel 
Hogan had left for Irwinton. About this time, a difficulty occurred be- 
tween the Indians and some of the Columbus people down on the river ; 
and, as deponent thought, it was got up for the purpose of stopping the 
investigations. From the time that I returned with my company, I con- 
tinued with Colonel Hogan through the investigations. Deponent states 
that he was informed by Colonel Hogan, when he arrived at Glenn's on 
the Hatchechubbe, that Doctor Mills stated he would go to Columbus 
and raise ISIcDougald's company, and drive me and my company off; at 
which place Hogan investigated and reversed a good many contracts. 
From thence Colonel Hogan, deponent, and others went to the Cowiga 
near Gibson's, and Colonel Hogan there investigated and reversed some 
contracts; but a great many Indians, it seemed, were influenced by these 
land-stealers, and kept off. This I learned from the Indians themselves. 
From thence Colonel Hogan returned to Fort Mitchell, and sent by me 
the notices for holding an investigation in the Tonanulgar town. I went 
there, and remained until Hogan returned, and he then commenced the 
investigation again, when he found very strong opposition from McDou- 
gald's company. 

It appeared that Mills, Blake, Hudson, and Paddy Carr had the Indian 
chiefs well drilled to force the common Indians to go up and state that 
they had sold their lands to some of the company. Deponent heard 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 49 

some of the Indians, when interrogated by the agent, state that they had 
not sold their land, when the chiefs would speak, and tell them they must 
not say that, but that they must say they liad sold to some of that com- 
pany. It seems that Paddy Carr, and some others, were kept out con- 
stantly drilling the Indians. Deponent heard Dr. Mills, through his inter- 
preter, dialling an Indian. When the Indian asked Mills what he must 
say when he went before the agent, Mills told him he must say he had 
sold his land to him, (Mills.) Deponent recollects one case that occurred 
during the investigation. The Indian denied having sold his land, when 
Hudson or some of the company claimed the land ; Colonel Hogan told 
them to make some showing to establish their claim, and they made none; 
Colonel Hogan then reversed the case. After this Hudson took the In- 
dian out, and drilled him until I suppose he thought the Indian would 
confess that he had sold his land. It appeared that Hudson gave the In- 
dian a written paper, permitting him to live on the land, and then came 
back with the Indian before the agent. Hudson stated to the agent that 
he thought if he (Hogan) would interrogate the Indian again, that he 
would acknowledge that he had sold his land. Hogan then called on the 
Indian again, at which time the Indian presented the paper. Colonel 
Hogan asked him who gave him the paper ; he answered Hudson, and 
pointed at him. Ho^an then asked him again if he had sold his land to 
Hudson, when the Indian answered no. Hogan, as well as I recollect the 
question, asked him what that paper was for; the Indian then stated that 
he might live on the land, and Hudson would save his land fur him. 
The Indian stated to the agent that Hudson had promised him that hdk 
would drive the white people off, and he should have his land again. 
Hogan at this seemed to get in a passion, and I think tore up the paper, 
and told the Indian that it was of no account, and that the land was his 
own. Hogan then addressed the white people, and stated that this con- 
tract stands reversed, and cautioned those land-stealers against such a 
course of conduct with the Indians. Hogan met the Indians the next 
day near Chapman's store, when McDougald and his company opposed 
him very strongly; they had some difliculty and short words, but Hogan 
invest igated and reversed some contracts. I then left, and went to the store 
of Chajjuian, where I was inlbrmed by Colonel Hogan and others that 
Daniel McDouu'ald took out of iiis saddle-bags several hundred dollars in 
silver, and strewed it on the ground, and set the Indians to picking it up, 
as a breakin^-up show of that investigation. Hogan then left for Tus- 
kegee, and Major Abbott set out for the Opilike, Oswitche, and Chowock • 
olo towns to investigate. Deponent having heard that the land-stealers 
had sent an Indian and a wiiite man ahead to drill the Indians before the 
agent got there, a part of d-^ponent's company pursued tliem, overtook 
them, and broke them up, and the investigation was conducted in good 
order, and a great many contracts were reversed, and deponent thinks 
justly. These transactions took place, as v/ell as deponent remembers, 
in February, 1836. 

Cross-examined : 

Deponent states that he understands enough of the Indian language to 
converse with them ; the statements which he has deposed to as having 
been made to him by the Indians, relative to their being told not to go 
before Hogan, were made in that language. He further states that at the 
investigations by Colonel Hogan in Sanford's district, he told the Indians 
4 



50 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

on all occasions, if their lands had been stolen, they ought to go before tlie 
agent and complain. He also states, that after Hoban commenced his in- 
vestigation in Sanford's district, he formed a company, and went round 
for the purpose of seeing that justice was done, and for the purpose of 
l)uying up land that had not been sold, and such contracts as should be 
reversed by Hoban. Tiic company made but few purchases in Sanford's 
district. 

Re-examined by district attorney : 

Deponent states that, among other Indians with whom he had the con- 
versation referred to in his direct examination, were Oakfuskee Yoholo and 
Cussetaw Micco. These Indians were Cussetaw chiefs, but resided in the 
Secharlecha town. These chiefs stated that they had been sent for by 
Paddy Carr ; and, as well as deponent recollects, by Blake, Mills, and 
McDougald, to use their intinence to prevent the Indians from going up 
to complain belbrc Colonel Hogan. They stated that they had been in- 
structed by these persons to tell the Indians that Iloaan could not give 
them back their lands, but only wanted to enrol them to carry them off to 
Arkansas. These Indian chiefs had a good many relations residing in 
tiie Tonanulgar town, and were supposed to have great intinence over 
that town. Deponent further states, that while in Sanford's district, and 
before the investigation was closed, Luther Blake came to the camp 
where this deponent was staying with others, and, in a conversation be- 
tween the said Blake and John J. Williams, (who is now deceased,) 
Blake admitted and said that he liad made arrangements with the Indians 
residing on the Uchee creek, (meaning, as this deponent tmderstood, the 
Tonanulgar and Wartoolarharka towns,) to go before Hogan and acknowl- 
edge that they had sold their lands, and had promised them, if they 
-vould do it, they should eventually be paid for their land : Blake further 
ntated that he intended to pa^^ them. Deponent further states that, to the 
best of his knowledge and recollection, he has no interest in any reversed 
claim in Sanford's district, with the exception of those that were pur- 
chased by the company after reversal, and but few in cases of any other 
fiescription in that district ; his wliolc interest lieing confined to four or 
five claims. Deponent further states that he imiformly told the Indians 
that, if they had ever been before the certifying agent and received any 
money for" their lands, they should not complain. He uniiornily im- 
pressed upon the chiefs with whom he conversed the necessity of cau- 
tioning their people against complaining if they had honestly sold. De- 
ponent further states that an Indian woman, named Otekar, belonging to 
the Luchipoga town, and from whom he had purchased a reservation 
while a copartner in the firm of N. M. Thornton & Co., came to him 
during the time referred to, when the great ccrtifyhig took place before 
McHenry, and insisted that he should have the contract certified. Hav- 
ing some" time before disposed of his interest in the concern to D. and N. 
M. Thornton, he states that he went in company with said Indian to N. 
M. Thornton, and told him he must have the contract certified; Thornton 
replied it had just been certified. Deponent states that he remarked to 
Thornton, that if it was certified it was stolen; and that, unless he would 
immediately satisfy the woman, he would go in and have it ripped up. 
Thornton then agreed to pay the woman five dollars in cash, and give her 
her account, amounting to forty -five dollars, if she would be satisfied. 
The woman took the money, and made her mark to a deed ; but she was 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 51 

not taken before the agent at that time, nor, as this deponent believes, at 
any other, time to be certified to her reservation. The contract was 
originally certified to B. P. Iv^erson & Co. Deponent further states that 
in the conversation had with McDougald in Columbus, and referred 
to in his direct examination, he understood McDougald 's remark "that 
the plan of stealing had been adopted to bring about a reaction, and 
cause the true owners to sell their lands," as refcrrins: to both Sanford's 
and McIIenry's districts. At the time the negotiation was going on, it was 
admitted by McDougald and the company tfiat there were a great many 
stolen contracts, and this admission was understood to refer as much to 
Sanford's as to McHenry's district ; that, out of about one hundred and 
seventy contracts certified to by one branch of this company, McDougald 
stated there were about forty honest contracts, and these were contracts 
which had been certified to by McCrory & Walker. These contracts 
were embraced within certain dates, which this deponent does not now 
recollect, but thinks it was from the ISth to the 2Sth February, 1S35. 

Cross-examined : 

Deponent states that it was not expressly stated in what district the 
hundred and seventy contracts were, but he understood them to be in 
both districts. 

ARNOLD SEALE. 
State of Alabama, Chambers counfi/: 

I, Ff^lix Stanley, an acting justii^e of the peace in and for said county, do 
hereby certify that the foregoing depositions were answered, subscribed, 
and sworn to, before me, this 21st day of February, 1S37. 

FELIX STANLEY, J. P. 

On the back of the foregoing deposition is the following : 

Notice of time and place of taking the within deposition acknowledged, 
and form waived. 

D. GOLIGHTLY. 



X. 

State of Alabama, Macon coitnty : 

Interrogatories to be exhibited to Arnold Scale, to be read before Messrs. 

Crawford and Balch, commissioners of alleged frauds in the Creek 

country, in Alabama. 

Interrogatory 1. Were you ever engaged in the same company of land 
speculators with Daniel McDougald ? 

Interrogatory 2. In your previous depositions taken, you state that 
McDougald admitted that his (McDougald's) company had one hundred 
and stiventy stolen cases, and but forty good ones; and that the admission 
extended to Sanford's district as well as to McHenry's. State whether 
or not this was not the observation made by McDougald : " that he (Mc- 
Dougald) knew that about forty of the alluded-to cases were genuine, for 
that he had attended to that number in person ; but that it was likely that 
there might be some of the contracts iujperfectly certified, and, if so, he 
regretted it, and should use his exertions to have them rectified;" and were 
not these remarks made in opposition to an opinion advanced by your- 
self; and in this conversation was any allusion had to Sanford's district } 

Interrogatory 3. Do you recollect a letter written by McDougald to the 



52 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

company in which he was interested, in Chambers county ? If yea, what 
was the purport of that letter, and do you know where it is ? If ni your 
power, custody, or control, please attach the same, or a copy thereof, to 
your answers; and if not, state whether in that letter McDougald did not 
urge upon the company to deal fairly and liberally with the Indians, and 
in no case to take back the money. 

Interrogatory 4. Did you ever see or know of McDougald's having 
certified an improper Indian, or defrauded one in any way ? and state 
whether or not you did not consider him a fair and liberal man in all his 
dealings with the Indians. 

Interrogatory 5. In your previous deposition on the subject, taken by 
Bryant, you state that Colonel Hogan returned to Fort Mitchell, and sent 
by you the notices for holding an investigation in the Tonanulgar town ; 
that deponent went there, and remained until Hogan returned ; ho then 
commenced the investigation again, when he met with strong opposhion 
from McDougald and his company : state where 'J'onanulgar town, 
alluded to, is situated, and what sort of opposition was made by McDou- 
gald and company. 

Interrogatory 6. In your previous examination, before alluded to, you 
state that Hogan met the Indians the next day, at Chapman's store, where 
McDougald and his compariy opposed him very strongly ; that they had 
some difficulty, and short words : state the means of opposition used by 
McDougald, and the short words used. Was not the difficulty alluded to 
in relation to a tract of land purchased by Lucas, who was killed by an 
Indian a considerable time previously, and alleged by McDougald to have 
been purchased at administrator's sale by him, (McDougald,) at the price 
of four thousand dollars, with the approved contract in his possession ? 
Did not the Indian located on said land deny having sold it, but admit 
that he had received various sums of money from Lucas ; but did not the 
chiefs and other Indians assert that he had sold to Lucas ? 

Interrogatory 7. Did not Hogan say to McDougald that, if he would 
pay the Indian two hundred and eighty dollars, he would not reverse the 
case ? Did not McDougald refuse to do so, because he said that the 
Indian had received his pay -, but that he was willing to give the money 
to the town? and state whether or not he did so ? 

Interrogatory 8. In your previous depositions, you state that McDou- 
gald came to you to make arrangements with you, and that you agreed 
on the terms of a compromise: which was, that he and his company were 
to 2;ive up all their stolen contracts, and guaranty to you and your com- 
pany the right of recertifying the true holders. Did you not come or 
send to McDougald, and did you not say that you would enter into an 
ao-reement with McDougald? If yea, what reason did you give for being 
willing to negotiate with him in preference to others ? 

Interrogatory 9. Who composed your company, and what interest did 
you demand ? 

Interrogatory 10. Did you not agree to take less than you at first de- 
manded ? 

Interrogatoiy 11. Was not another meeting to take place, if the com- 
pany would agree to your terms, in a few days, with an agreement 
drawn up ? 

Interrogatory 12. Did or did not you go to Chambers, and actually 
commence operations for the company which you supposed you had 
formed with McDougald and others ? 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 53 

Interrogatory 1 3. When the arrangement was not carried out accord- 
ing to your expectation, did you not say that you were fooled, and were 
yon not very much dissatisfied ? 

Interrogatory 14. Did you ever certify any Indian contracts for land ? 
if yea, did you ever, by yourself or agent, take back, or were you in any 
way or manner interested in taking back, the purchase-money, or any 
part thereof? 

Interrogatory 15. Did you or not in all cases take the oath, a copy of 
which is hereunto aiuiexed? 

Interrogatory 16. You stated, in your previous depositions, that Hogan 
reversed a eood many cases in your presence ; and, in another part, vou 
say that Mills and others were very active in preventing the Indians 
from coming before the agent. Please give the names of those that were 
reversed in the different towns, and those Indians that were prevented, 
or induced not to so before the agent. 

Interrogatory 17. What amount have you and your company invested 
in land claims in the Creek country that is unsettled, and in opposition 
to the company in wliich IVIcDougald is interested ? 

Interrogatory IS. Do you consider yourself, in these matters, a dis- 
interested witness? Are you not largely interested, both pecuniarily and 
in feeling; and can you say that you do not expect to be gainer or loser 
by the event of this invcstifration ? 

J. H. CA^IPBELL, clui77ianis' attorney. 



State of Ai.ahama, ]\If/con cotnitt/: 

Before me, Williamson M. Freeman, a justice of the peace in and for the 
county and State aforesaid, and at the house of the said Williamson 
jNI. Freeman, personally came Arnold Seale, who, after being duly 
sworn, deposcth, and answers the foregoing interrogatories as follows: 

To the first, he answers that, at one time, he was engaged in a com- 
pany with Nat. Macon Thornton and D. Thornton, and that he luiderstood 
from D. Thornton that he had made an arrangement to have McDougald 
join them in the company, and asked deponent how he liked it. De- 
ponent answered, if he (deponent) conceived it to be his (deponent's) in- 
terest, he would submit to the arrangement he had made. Deponent 
then asked Thornton what kind of an arrangement he had made. Thorn- 
ton said he had not time to relate the contract which he had made then, 
but would at some other time, which he failed to do. Deponent then 
became dissatisfied, and quit the company. 

To the second, he ansv.'ors that, in a conversation he had with McDou- 
gald, he stated that one branch of his operators had certified one hundred 
and severity contracts, and that he knew forty of them to be honest con- 
tracts, for that they were contracts for which he had old bonds, and had 
been made by McCrory, himself, and, Walker; and that they had made 
some advances on thciii. He did not state whether they were in Sanford's 
or McHenry's district, but that he took it for granted that the forty con- 
tracts alluded to were in McHenry's district, from the fact that he stated 
that McCrory had purchased them. He did not say that the forty con- 
tracts were or were not the only honest contracts in the one hundred and 



54 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

seventy. He says it was not; on the contrary, that he (McDougald) staled 
that they had adopted the plan of personatmg Indians, in order to liave 
the right Indians to sell their lands ; that he himself was willing and 
anxions to have tlie true owners brouglit up and certified, and that he 
was willing to pay tiie true owners the money; that he was willing that 
deponent and his company slioiild do so, but that some of his (McDou- 
gald's) company opposed it, and broke it up. And he further states to a 
question asked by Nat. Macon Thornton, being present, that he has no 
recollection that the name of Nat. Macon Thornton was mentioned in 
that conversation. He has no recollection that those remarks of McDou- 
gald were n,ade in opposition to an opinion advanced by deponent. He 
states that he did not designate either district. 

To the third interrogatory, he answers that he has no recollection of 
ever having seen the letter alluded to. 

To the fourth interrogatory, he answers that he never knew McDougald 
himself to bring up an Indian before the agent, to the best of his present 
recollection, but that he did not act in person in bringing up Indians ; that 
McDougald told him that he had certified dead Indians' claims, and that 
he (deponent) considered that fraudulent. He says that he did not con- 
sider that he was fair and liberal. 

To the fifth, he answers that on the first day he does not think that 
McDougald was there, but some of his company were there ; that Tona- 
nulga town was near Chapman's store, but that where they met on the 
first day was called Tonanulla also on tjie census agent roll, but that the 
Indians called it Vv^artoolaharka. He states that he saw Mills busy with 
the Indians, and heard him tell an Indian (to a question asked by the 
Indian to know what he should say to the agent) that he must tell the 
agent that he had sold his land to him, Mills. He saw Hudson take an 
Indian off and talk to him, but did not hear the conversation ; he then 
brought him back before the agent. 

To the sixth, he answers that he imderstood Paddy Carr to be one of 
the company ; that he saw him busily engaged in talking witli the In- 
dians. He also saw Blake engaged with them in the same manner ; heard 
none of the language, except v/hat he heard from Paddy Carr and other 
Indians, which he understands is not legal testimony. Saw McDougald 
and Hogan get very mad with each other, and have some short words, but 
does not recollect the words. He recollects hearing the Lucas case men- 
tioned, but does not know that tliat was the case they got mad about ; 
he thinks that the Indian acknowledged that he had sold to Lucas, and 
had received money, but thinks that he denied having been certified ; 
recollects hearing McDougald say that he had bought the tract of land at 
Lucas's sale, but does not recollect the price, if it was stated at all. 

To the seventh, he answers that he does not recollect the amount, but 
that he thinks that upon a calculation some money was coming to the 
Indian, and thinks that Hogan did say, if McDougald would pay it, that 
he would not reverse the contract ; thinks that McDougald stated that the 
Indian had been paid ; does not of his own knowledge know any thing 
about McDougnld's giving the money to the town. 

To the eighth, he answers that the history of this transaction he lias 
given in his previous depositions: that the reason why he pitched upon 
McDougald was, that he had more confidence in him than any other man 
in the company, and believed that if McDougald pledged himself that he 



[ Yioc. No. 452. "J 55 

could rely upon him ; and that he did, and still does believe, that if 
McDougald had had his own way, there would have been no diffi- 
culty. That Woodward came to him, (deponent,) and asked him if there 
was any man in the company that he could believe in ; that deponeni 
said there was, that he would place confidence in McDougald if he would 
pledge his honor, and that shortly thereafter McDougald came to him. 

To the ninth, he answers that his compaiiy was composed of himself, 
William Dougherty, S:roud. and Charles McLemore ; these were all the 
heads of the company, but we had other operators ; that he first demanded 
that one company should be equal to the other. 

To the tenth, he answers that at a subsequent meeting of the two com- 
panies, deponent and his company did agree to take less than they at first 
demanded ; he thinks his company agreed to take one share less than 
McDougald's company. This is also an answer to the eleventh interrog- 
atory, and he thinks that the agreement was at the last meeting drawn 
up. 

To the twelfth, he answers that he did not. 

To the thirteenth, he answers that, after the arrangement failed, he did 
say that he believed that their poHcy had been to prevent him (depontjnt) 
from opposing them till they got the contracts approved, and tliat he was 
dissatisfied, and that he then refused to accept articles of agreement pre- 
sented to him by D. Thornton and Dr. Mills, and stated that he would 
have no more to do with them. 

To the fourteenth, lie answers lliat he has, in person, both for himself and 
his company, brought up and certified a great many contracts, and that he 
has taken back thousands of dollars, and that it was done in piirsnance of 
a general rule of the company to which he belonged, and whicli McDou- 
gald joined, and that the money was always honestly paid back to the In- 
dians, so far as he knows or believes, or they were paid in property. 

To the fifteenth, he answers, that, in all cases, when he paid the money 
over himself, he did take an oath similar to the one attached. 

To the sixteenth, he answers, he does not recollect what cases were re- 
versed, but presumes they may be found by reference to the books of Ilo- 
gan ; nor does he recollect the names of the Indians prevented from going 
before the agent, as he has no record of their names. 

To the seventeenth, he answers that he does not know how mucli he 
has himself, nor does he know how much his company has. 

To the eignteenth, he answers that he does expect to be loser, and al- 
wavs has, ever since they commenced stealing land. 

ARNOLD SEALE, 

Sworn to, and subscribed before me, this 14th day of March, 1837. 

WILLIAMSON M. FREEMAN, J. P. 

Of the taking of the foregoing deposition, the following notice is on file : 

To William IT. Stiles, District ^^ttorney : 

Please take notice, that, on Tuesday, the 14th day of March instant, 
at the house of Arnold Seale, in the county of Chambers, between the hours 
of 9 o'clock A. M. and 10 o'clock P. M., the deposition of the said Arnold 
Seale will be taken, to be read before T. H. Crawford and Alfred Balch, 
commissioners to investigate frauds, &c. 

D. GOLIGHTLY. 



56 [ ]3oc. No. 452. J 

Y. 

State of Alabama, Macon county : 

The examination of John Garrett, taken, by consent, at the house ofJohii 
S. Green, in the county of Macon, January IG, 1S37. 
Witness resides in Cussetaw, Chambers county, Alabama ; has resided 
there since about tlie 1st of January, 1835. Dr. McHenry kept his 
office near this place, at a place called Scale's store. Was frequently at 
the office of Dr. McHenry when he was certifying. Witness's store v/as 
a little over a half mile from the agent's office, and he was passing to and 
from the office daily, from the middle of February till tlie 1st March, 1835. 
There was a good deal of certifying done at the office between those dates ; 
that the persons who had the most land certified, resided in and about Co- 
hunbus. About the last of January, 1835, he first heard of the persona- 
tion of Indians. Julius Brooks was the first person Avho gave him informa- 
tion of what was going on, and the manner in which Indians were drilled. 
From about the 1st of February to the 1st of March, there were encamp- 
ments of Indians about Cussetaw. The Indians were kept in different 
1 unches — some on one side of a branch, and some on the other. Elijah 
Corley, who lived in Fish-pond, seemed to have control of one parcel, to- 
gether with J. J. INIcCrory : they seemed to act together. Benjamin P. 
Tarver and Milton J. Tarver seemed to be interested with these. Wit- 
ness supposes that tlicre were from four to five hinidred Indians encamp- 
ed about the agency : the woods appeared to be full of them. Corley 
informed witness that he was acting for McDongald, and Shorter, and 
Tarver, Witness furnished a great many of the Indians with meal and 
bacon, (which he kept for sale,) and was paid therefor by Corley and 
McCrory — they having requested him to furnish. B. P, Tarver also pro- 
cured some provisous for the Indians, The week that the certifying closed, 
v/itness had a conversation with E. Corley, who informed him that he 
had done a fine Aveek's work — having had one hundred and seventy-two 
cr one hundred and eighty-two pieces of land certified, Corley informed 
l.im that the way he did, was, to go to the' agent's book and take off such 
locations as he wanted, and that were not certified, the towii in which 
the land lay, and the name of the Indian who owned the location ; that 
J.e would then go to his camp, and take an Indian that he thought Avould 
answer his purpose, and drill him, by learning him the name that he was 
to answer to, the name of the chief of the town where the land lay, and 
the situation of the town-house, and such other questions as the agent 
v^ould be likely to ask. As Avell as witness recollects, McCrory inform- 
ed him that he was acting for the Columbus company. Witness stood by, 
and saw a great many contracts certified, and was alterwards present at 
the investigations, and saw the Indians who Avere recognised by the chiefs 
ns the true holders of tlie locations, and is satisfied that they Avere not the 
Indians that he had seen certified. Witness saw A, J, Robinson at the 
time that the certifying Avas going on ; he seemed to be concerned Avith 
William Vann, John J, Williams, and Gilder & Co, This company filled 
up their bonds in the store-house occupied by Avitness. Robinson asked 
Aidtness, on one occasion, Avhy he did not take a hand Avith them ; and 
A7hen Avitness ansAvered, he said that he would pick him out a good piece 
en the morroAV, and have it certified to him, (Avitness,) as it Avouid not cost 
more than five or ten dollars. Witness has heard Vann and Williams say 



[ »oc. No. 452. ] 5T 

that they did not claim the, land that was certified to them in this way ; 
tliat they only did it to prevent others from stealing it ; and most, if not 
all, the contracts certified to that company were given up at the investiga- 
tion. Witness knows that frauds were practised by McQueen & Co., S. 
Williams, and Thompson. 

'i'here was a man named William C. Hill who was engaged in the 
business, but does not know who was concerned with him. Witness 
states that he saw Dozier and Nat. Macon Thornton, Columbus Mills, 
and Jonathan A. Hudson, about the agency at different times while the 
alleged personation was going on ; and ;^IcHenry's books will show 
many contracts certified, in which the names of these individuals appear ; 
and, from his recollection of the appearance of the Indians that were about 
the agency at that time, and the Indians that he afterwards saw recog- 
nised by the chiefs as the true holders of the locations, he is satisfied that 
they had but few, if any, honest contracts certified during the time alluded 
to — say from middle of January to middle of INIarch. Witness heard 
Mills say that if any person interfered with his matters, he would cut his 
throat from ear to ear. Witness understood him to allude to the contracts 
which he had had certified. He also heard Colonel Wadsworth make 
threats if any person sliould interfere with his contracts. Witness knows 
that, owing to threats which had been made by those who were engaged 
in certifying. Dr. McHenry closed his office, and refused to certify for 
the greater part of the day. McCrory stated that the business below in 
Sanford's district was swept out, so that it was not worth attending to ; 
that they had gone through McHcnry's, all that was worth having ; and 
that if McHenry would turn over his books to Judge Tarrant, they would 
get the few pieces that were good that lay about there. 

Witness attended the investigations held by Dr. McHenry in most of 
the towns in his district; saw Dr. McHenry's notices of the time and 
places where lie would hold his investigations, and a parcel of them were 
delivered to him by E. Corley, to be stuck up. Every opportunity 
was afforded the persons wlio had had contracts certified, to establish 
them if they had been honestly obtained ; and McHenry gave notice that 
if the purcliasers, or their agent or agents, would swe-^r to the identity of 
the Indian certified, he would confirm the contract. 

Witness states that he attended an investigation in Highlogtown, held 
by Colonel Hogan, and at two other places. A memorandum kept durhig 
the investigation enables him to state that there were something like a 
hundred and seventy contracts reversed by Colonel Hogan in the towns 
in wiiich he attended, and the cases in that memorandum he thinks were 
all reversed. Witness saw jNIills, Blake, and Hudson at the investigations ; 
is not certain whether they were at all the investigations. The investi- 
gations were held in public, and after public notice, and ample opportu- 
nity was afforded to the purchasers to substantiate their contracts. Wit- 
ness is of the opinion that the different individuals interested made great 
exertions to keep the Indians from complaining. Witness states, that after 
a case was investigated in which J. A. Hudson was interested, and re- 
versed by Colonel Hogan, Hudson took the Indian off, and, after some 
conversation with him through an interpreter, which witness did not hear, 
said Hudson gave the Indian a paper, and then came up to Colonel Ho- 
gan and said he thought th;it the Indian would then acknowledge that he 
had sold him his land. Colonel Hogan then asked the Indian ; he said 



58 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

he had not sold, but that Hudson had told hini that if he would acknowl- 
edge that he had. he would save him his land, and that he might still live 
on it, and that after a while they would drive the white people out, and 
then he could have his land again. Hudson was present when the Indian 
made this statement, and did not contradict it. 

Cross-examined: 

Witness recollects positively that Corley said he was having land certi- 
fied for McDougald, Shorter, and Tarver. Witness is partly certain that 
the admissions of Corley and McCrory before related, were made about 
the first of March. Witness is positive that McCrory told him that he 
was acting for McDougald, Shorter, and Tarver. Witness has before 
stated that he saw the Indians who were present at the time contracts 
were certified, and afterwards saw difterent Indians identified by the 
chiefs at the investigations as the holders of the same locations ; but wit- 
ness states that he cannot now recollect of any particular case of the kind. 
He does not remember the names of the Indians ; he was a stranger in 
the country, and had resided in Alabama but a short time. One case he 
does recollect; it was a woman by the name of Ote-kar, of Luchipogatown, 
who was certified to B. V. Iverson & Co. Witness never heard Dr. Mills 
make any threats but at one time. Witness never heard any complaints 
against Robert S. Ilardaway as agent for the Columbus Land Company 
that he now recollects. 

The above is just and true to the best of my recollection. 

JOHN GARRETT. 

The foregoing depositions on this sheet of paper, were subscribed and 
sworn to before me, this 11th day of February. 1837. 

FELIX STANLEY, J. P. 



Z. 

The State op Alabama, Chambers county : 

Deposition of John Taylor, taken before me, Felix Stanley, an acting jus- 
tice of the peace in and for said county, to be read in evidence in all 
cases to which the same may apply, and which are now pending before 
Thomas H. Crawford and Alfred Balch, Esqrs., now sitting as commis- 
sioners at Green's, near Tuskegee, to investigate the frauds alleged to 
have been committed in the sale of Creek Indian reservations. 

This deponent, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That, in the first of 
the year 1S35, he resided about a mile and a half from Doctor McHenry's 
office. Some time in February of that year, Judge Shorter came to de- 
ponent's house, and staid there for a day or two ; he had a book in his 
possession, which he said was the agent's book, and that he was taking a 
list of all the uncertified cases, in McHenry's district. This was a day or 
two before the crowd collected at the agency. McDougald, Mills, Wat- 
son, Hudson, McDaniel, Wadsworth, Featherston, Woodland, N. M. and 
D. Thornton came to my house a day or two after Judge Shorter arrived ; 
Blake was also there occasionally. The rest put up at my house, where 
the most of them staid until McHenry started to the lower part of his dis- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 59 

Trict, when they also went away. When McHenry returned, some or all 
of the persons above named came back and staid at deponent's house 
again. While at deponent's house, he frequently heard them talking on 
their plans, and the course which they had been and still were pursuing. 
Deponent heard Judge Shorter say that the first lands he had ever had 
certified in the nation, he had pursued Colonel Abert to Line creek and 
back to Lewis's stand, and finally had them certified at Fort Mitchell. 
The land, he said, belonged to Uchee Indians; and he said it made no dif- 
ference with him whether he had the right Indian or not, so he had a Uchee 
Indian ; and he farther stated, that the best of it was, that after he had 
had them certified, he took them down to the branch and took back all 
the money from them. Deponent was satisfied, from what Judge Shorter 
said, that in these cases he had the wrong Indians, and not the true hold- 
ers of the land, certified. Heard McDougald state that money was a 
curse to an Indian, and that they had better have five dollars for their 
land than a thousand. Judge Sliorter told deponent that if he would go 
up to McHcniy's he would show him how they had closed the business in 
Sanford's district, and they were determined to close McHcnry's in the 
same way. Witness understood Judge Shorter to allude to the persona- 
tion of one Indian for another. Witness did not believe that the plan 
was possible, for a day or two, when he went up to McHcnry's office, 
where, from the course pursued, and what he saw, he became perfectly 
satisfied that these men were basely engaged in personating Indians, or, 
in other words, in stealing land. Propositions were made to deponent by 
A. J. Robinson and others, to join them. Robinson stated to deponent 
that they were engaged in stealing land, by personating Indians, and on 
one day borrowed five or six hundred dollars, in one hundred dollar bills, 
from deponent ; and in the evening he stated to deponent that he had cer- 
tified a number of contracts in tl'.e course of the day with the money, and 
then paid him back the same ])ills wliicli he liad loaned him in the morn- 
ing. Deponent further states that he was present on one evening when 
a settlement of the day's operations took place between them; McDou- 
gald, Watson, D. and N. M. Thornton, Mills, Blake, Hudson, J. G. War- 
sham, McDaniel, Woodland, and some others were present. D. Thornton 
had the money, and it was stated that a certain number of contracts had 
been passed that day with the money which had been then laid ^n the 
table for a settlement. It was stated that interpreters' fees had that day 
been higher than they had been before; and the impression Avas made on 
his mi)id, that interpreters' fees, and about five dollars to the Indian, was 
all that was expended by them for each contract certified. This settle- 
ment took place at the house of this deponent. During this time depo- 
nent was at McHcnry's oflice almost every day, and there were large 
crowds of Indians encamped around and about the agency — say from 
three to five hundred. Deponent states that he was at McKeen's a short 
time before Colonel Ilogan closed his investigation at that place. McKeen 
lived on the old Federal road, and in Sanford's district. The next day de- 
ponent went to Glenn's, on the Hatchcchubba creek, where Colonel Ilo- 
gan held an investigation. Deponent states that a good many Indians 
went forward and complained, and a great many contracts were reversed. 
Mills and Hudson, and perhaps some others of the Columbus speculators, 
were present, and had their interpreters. Mills and Hudson were very 
active in taking out Indians and conversing with them; but what was 



60 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

the subject of conversation deponent does not know. Colonel Hogan then 
went to Cowiga, and this deponent was present there also. An investi- 
gation was held, and some contracts were complained of as fraudulent; 
and a good many complaints that the money with which they had been 
certified had been taken away from them. Deponent does not understand 
the Indian language, but in these towns the Indians frequently told him, 
through interpreters in whom he had every confidence, that Gibson, Scott, 
and Dave Hardridge told them not to go up and complain, for Hogan had 
no power to give them back their lands, and that he only wanted to enrol 
them and take them off to Arkansas. The next investigation that depo- 
nent attended was at the Wartoolaharka square, where Colonel Hogan 
investigated a part of the Tonanulgar town. At this investigation an In- 
dian came up and complained that he had not sold his land. The land 
was certified, as well as deponent recollects, to Hudson. After investiga- 
ting the matter. Colonel Hogan said he would reverse the contract. Hud- 
son then took the Indian off, and, after having him out some time, he came 
back with the Indian, and told Colonel Hogan that if he would interro- 
gate the Indian again, he thought that he would acknowledge that he had 
sold. Colonel Hogan then asked the Indian if he had sold his land to 
Hudson, and he said — no ; and presented a paper. Colonel Hogan asked 
him who gave him the paper, and he said Hudson. He farther stated 
tliat Hudson had told him that he might live on the land, and that he 
(Hudson) would save the land for him, and in a short time that he would 
drive the white people off, and he should have his land again. This was 
what the interpreter stated to Colonel Hogan that the Indian said ; it was 
interpreted in the presence of Hudson, and he did not contradict or deny 
having so stated to the Indian. Colonel Hogan then seemed to get angry, 
and I think tore up the paper, and said that the contract should stand re- 
versed. Colonel Hogan told the Indian that he need not take a paper 
from anybody, as the land was his own ; that if he had never sold his 
land, the land still belonged to him. Colonel Hogan further stated that 
evil consequences must grow out of such statements to the Indians, and 
then advised the Indians that they had better make their arrangements 
and get off to Arkansas. Colonel Hogan then went to the neighborhood 
of Chapman's store, and hold an investigation for the balance of the To- 
nanulgar town. Deponent was present there also. McDougald, Hudson, 
Blake, and Mills, were also present. While there. Doctor Mills drew a, 
pistol on Absalom Islands, who was a half-breed chief and an interpreter, 
and swore that if he spoke to one of his Indians again he would kill him. 
He also commenced abusing a young man named Coker, and said he was 
interfering with his Indians. Coker stated that he had only told the In- 
dians if they had not sold they ought not to acknowledge that they had. 
Mills said it was no business of his ; that he had made his own arrange- 
ments with the Indians, and that he would whip or kill any man who in- 
terfered with them. Witness states further, that he heard a conversation 
between Luther Blake and John J. Williams, who is now deceased, at a 
camp where this deponent and others were staying. Blake admitted and 
said that he had made arrangements with the Indians belonging to the 
Tonanulgar town, to go before the agent and acknowledge that they had 
sold their land, and that he had promised them, if they would do it, they 
should be paid for their land ; and Blake then said that he intended to do 
it. Deponent further states, that while at the Tonanulgar town, it was 



[ Doc. ^0. 452. ] 61 

understood that the Columbus Company had sent a white man and an 
Indian into tlie Chowocolo and Oswitchee, or OpiHke towns, to drill the 
Indians against Hogan got there to investigate. Believing the report, the 
company to which he belonged divided, and one party pursued the per- 
sons who had been thus sent, to try to overtake them and prevent any im- 
proper influence from being exerted over the Indians. When Colonel 
Hogan got to these towns, a large proportion of the Indians came forward 
and complained ; and alter investigation the contracts were reversed. De- 
ponent further states, that in all the conversations held in his presence, by 
persons attending the investigations, except those who appeared to be in- 
terested, it was impressed upon both chiefs and Indians, that if any of 
them had sold their lands, they should not say that they had not, but 
they should acknowledge it. Deponent further says that he is interested, 
to a small extent, in four contracts only, in Sanford's district — two of them 
stood open on the books at the time of the investigation, and were certi- 
fied by Colonel Hogan ; and that he is interested in no others in Sanford's 
district. Deponent further states, that while at Tonanulgar, Indians fre- 
quently told him, through interpreters in whom he had every confidence, 
that McDougald, Mills, Blake, and Hudson, had told them that they must 
not complain, but acknowledge that they had sold their land to some of 
tlie company ; that Hogan had no power to give them back their land, 
and that he only wanted to enrol them to have them carried off to Ar- 
kansas. 

JOHN TAYLOR. 

Statk of Alabama, Chambers county: 

I, Felix Stanley, an acting justice of the peace in and for said county, 
do hereby certify that the foregoing deposition was taken, subscribed, 
and sworn to before me, this 21st February, 1837. 

FELIX STANLEY, J. P. 

On the back of the foregoing deposition is the following entry: Service 
of notice of time and place of taking the within deposition acknowledged, 
and form waived. 

D. GOLIGHTLY. 



AA. 



Deposition of Edwin E. Bissell, taken before Michael N. Clarke, a jus- 
tice of the peace in and for the county of Muscogee, and State of 
Georgia, to be read in cases to which it applies, and which are now 
pending before Thomas H. Crawford and Alfred Balch, Esquires, com- 
missioners, &c. 

The said Edwni E. Bissell, being duly sworn, says: That some time in 
January or February, 1835, he went out to the Polecat springs, and 
established a store, with the intention of purchasing Indian lands; states, 
that some time in February he went to Doctor McHenry's office, for the 
purpose of having some contracts certified. He took some three or four 



62 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

Indians, from whom he had purchased, with him. When he reached the 
office, he found the contracts marked in McHeury's book as ah-eady cer- 
tified. Most of the persons he liad known as land buyers were there; 
both from Columbus and trom Alabama. Saw several camps of Indians 
about there. Deponent states that, being disappointed in his expectation 
of having his contracts certified, he determined to leave the place ; he was, 
however, called upon by James H. Shorter, who this deponent had un- 
derstood and believed to be one of the firm of Shorter, Tarver, and Shorter, 
or Shorter, Tarver, and Co., to witness some contracts for him. Witness 
went with him to a camp of Indians, which was about a quarter of a 
mile from the agent's office, where he found a parcel collected, and did 
witness, as well as he recollects, between ten and fifteen contracts. Wit- 
ness states that he did not know one of the Indians, nor the towns to 
which they belonged. Shorter had a deed for each contract that depo- 
nent witnessed, with the name of the Indian written on the back, and the 
location; but he cannot say whether the deeds signed were blank forms, 
or whether they had been filled up before they were signed, nor does he 
know whether they were dated as on the day that he witnessed them; 
but he knows that it was done in the time of the snow. 

Cross-examined : 

He states that one of the said Indians whom he took with him to Mc- 
lienry's to be certified, acknowledged, after he got there, that he had sold 
his land to another person before. He also states that he was several 
times at the camp where Shorter, Tarver, and Co.'s Indians were station- 
ed, and he saw no attempt to teach any Indian to assume another's name. 

EDWIN E. BISSELL. 

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 3d day of February, 1837. 

MICHAEL N. CLARKE, /. F. 

On the back of this deposition is the following writing : 

I acknowledge service of notice of the time and place of taking the 

within deposition, and consent that the same may be read in any case to 

which it may apply, and waive form. 

D. GOLIGHTLY. 



BB. 

Columbus, January 2S, 1835. 
Gentlemen : It becomes my duty to apprize you of a new movement in 
regard to our Indian relations, which deeply aifects our interests and op- 
erations. General Sanford has stated that, on the 1st of March, himself 
and McHenry will cease certifying, and I presume Judge Tarrant will do 
the same. This is the Government order. Why it is so, or what is the 
object, none of us know. But one thing is certain, that every Indian in 
the eastern, and, I have no doubt, also in the western part of the nation, 
who does not sell in the next month, will lose the chance of selling alto- 
gether, and, by some manoeuvre, their land will become Government prop- 
erty. It will be remembered that, at the last Indian council at Fish-pond, 
the Government caused a proposition to be made to Ho-poeth-lo Yoholo 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 63 

to purchase the misold reservations : that he repUed it was more than he 
dared at that time to do ; but that if the GovenniK nt would wait till his 
return from the West in the spring, he would answer the application. It 
will be remembered, also, that a delegation of the Cherokees attended the 
above meeting, and urged upon the chiefs of the Creek nation the pro- 
priety of raising a large joint national fund for their mutual use in the 
West. Let it also not be forgotten that Ho-poeth-lo Yoholo is now at the 
West, and expected back the first of JMarch, and that a delegation of 
Cherokees is now at Washington. When all these particulars are put to- 
gether, you will see that the private Indians who are so foolish as to re- 
fuse selling, are in a fair way to have their lands applied to the raising of 
a national fund, in which they will have no individual benefits. Wheth- 
er the Government can treat for the unsold lands or not, or whether they 
can or will purchase the reservations from a few chiefs, is not material ; 
for if the certification is stopped, neitlicr they can sell nor we purchase. 
JN'ow, I pray you not to treat this lightly, for I have hastened Mr. Tarver 
otf the niorinng after getting the news, that you may be put on your guard, 
and make the most of the time left you. It is important that you press 
this subject immediately upon the attention of Smith and the Griersons, 
so that they understand it, and let them spread it amongst the Indians. 
They have but one moon in which to save their lands. Better, by far, 
had they had their lands certified without receiving a dollar, and leaving it 
open to an arramrement with us, to be paid hereafter, when they are willing 
to sell, than thus to be cheated out of their rights. To Dr. Scott, I urge that 
he give up the beautiful Miss .lenny for the present ; that he lay aside his 
poetry, come down from his stilts, and rouse up from his slothfulness, and 
spend one short montli in unceasing energy and unwavering industry. 
'I'o the Messrs. Craven, I beg that they will swear olf from the society 
of ladies for one month, and make every day and hour of it tell profita- 
bly upon our business. Atid tipon yon all, I urge an immediate close of 
every contract upon which advances have been made, and the making of 
no more advances; for all contracts made and not closed will be dead 
losses. After this is done, the great struggle should be for the most vulua- 
l/le lands. Every man sliould now be at his i>ost. Is there no chance to 
make an imprtssion on those vaulutible lands in Tuckabatchee — say Lit- 
tle Doctor's, Yargo's, Mad Dlue's,& Co. ? If I were now with you, I would 
spend the month, and show you how much labor 1 could perform. 
Yours, respectfullv, &.c. 

ELI S. SHORTER. 
To Dr. John S. Scott, and 

Messrs. M. M. and N. H. Craven, 

Fish-pond, ^/llahania. 



CC. 



Columbus, March 1, 1835. 
Gentlemen : I have just returned from Dr. McHenry's. When there, 
Yargo sold and certified his land to Dr. Billingslea for i56,000, and then 
i?ave back iS3,000 of the money, and took a bond for the occupancy of 



64 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

the land west of the river. I left at the agency Hayden and his son, 
General Woodward, Stone, McBryde, Collins, the whole Columbus com- 
pany, and a host of otiiers, with, I firmly believe, four hundred Indians 
hid out ail aroundt he hill. Certifications commenced late yesterday even- 
ing, and about sixty were taken througii. The agent will be at home 
certifying, the whole of next week ; and, in that time, most if not all of 
the land will be swept, that is worth a notice. I have the agent's prom- 
ise to meet us at any place of our appointment on the Monday after- 
wards; and to obtain this, I have had to interest another man in our com- 
pany, so far as it regards McHenry's district, and to give him one-eighth 
part. It is unnecessary to mention names ; the thing was necessary, and 
was therefore done. 

Now, if we are to do any thing, you must instantly, upon reading this 
letter, lay ail other business aside, and gather up as many Indiums who 
can be depended on as possible ; and Corley or Craven, with one of the 
Griersons, must come on with them towards the agency in Chambers. 
The other, with the other Grierson, must remain behind, and collect and 
come on with another company. When you get within from 5 to 10 miles 
of the agency, stop where you can get water and provisions, and send a 
messenger to us at the agency, to let us know where you are, and we will 
meet you Monday morning with the agent, and proceed to business. 
Your "messenger must reach us on Sunday night. Camp your Indians 
out of sight of the road. You need give yourself no trouble about the 
value of the land ; I will arrange all that. Stealing is the order of the 
day ; and out of the host of Indians at the agency, I do not think there 
were ten true holders of land. When I left, there were not more than 
eighty reservations left in all Tuckabatchee ; they will all go to-morrow ; 
then will follow Tiilobthlocco, then Kialgie, then Oak-tar-sar-say, thou 
Eufaula, &c. : and in two weeks the whole host of Philistines will be in 
your quarter ; and, rely upon it, they will carry all before them. 

Now Scott may wrap himself in his Indian blanket, and say all this is 
impossible; but / say it is not only possible, but certain. When I see 
such men, with so few advantages, getting so much valuable land at .^10 
per tract, and see how much money ive have paid out, the power we 
have had, and see the quantity and quali/y of land we have received, 
and particularly when I think of the reason why these things are so, I 
can almost tear my hair from my head. There is yet time to do some- 
thino, but I almost'despair of its being done. If Scott's Indian wife was 
at the devil, I should have some hope. 

We shall go into the strife, and do what we can. If you will join us, 
well • if not, well. We have plenty of money. You need not come un- 
less you will drill your Indians, and prepare them to receive §10 in the 
store for every contract certified. Be sure to bring two old women, and, 
if you possibly can, be sure and bring Tallan-har, an old woman of 
Thlobthlocco town, who is the mother or mother-in-law of John Reed, 
an interpreter, who was killed last year. 

The whole sIioynt will be up in four weeks from this time, and all the 
Indians who do not sell will lose their lands. This system has not been 
workin-^ more than three weeks, and upwards of 1,000 tracts have been 
certified. The stream is getting wider, deeper, and stronger every day. 
If thino-s are to be radically altered as to money at Tallapoosa, I will 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 65 

furnish funds in paper money to certify the balance ; if not, the Indians 
may he disbanded, and we will quit the drive, for I will stand the past- 
pull no longer ; and if Doctor Scott adopts the rule of settlement at the 
certified prices, it must be a good rule, and shall apply to all cases. 

Respectfully, &c., 

ELI S. SHORTER. 
To Messrs. John S. Scott, 

E. CoRLEY, 

M. M. &N. H. Craven, 

Tallapoosa. 



DD. 

Columbus, March 1, 1S35. 
Sir : Mr. Corley gave me time to be there to close the trade with him 
until I could get out, or until they commence certifying. As my business 
in court is not settled, I am unable to say when I shall be there : and if 
you have not closed the trade with Mr. Corley, you will do it for me, if 
you are not disposed to go into it ; but I prefer your comiexion in the 
matter. There is nothing going on at this time but stealing of land with 
about fifty Indians. Pay them SlO or $5 when certified, and get all the 
balance back, and 400 or .500 contracts certified with fifty Indians, is all the 
game. Judge Shorter has just returned from Dr. Mc?Ienry's ; he states 
the dilferent speculators have about 500 Indians hid out and certifying at 
night. Yargo is certified to ; without a rush, we are ?one. 

BENJAMIN P. TARVER. 

James S. Moore was married on to-night. . The judge thinks that the 
largest proportion, if not all the land that is before Dr. McHenry, will be 
certified on this week. Now is the time, or never ! Hurrah, boys ! Here 
goes it ! Let's steal all we can. I shall go for it, or get no lands! Now 
or never ! 

BENJAMIN P. TARVER. 
To Mr. M. A. Craven, 

Fish-pond, Alabama. 



EE. 

Columbus, March 25, 1S35. 
GentlExMen : I intended to have started to the store in Tallapoosa 
to-day, but Judge Shorter thinks it best for me to stay and attend Mc- 
Henry's office next week. I want you, so soon as you get this letter, 
to start Bailey and Wat Grierson over with as many Indians as they can 
start. I want them to be at the office with the Indians next Monday, if 
they can ; and as to the balance of you, you must be up and doing ; for 
I can assure you what we don't do before Tarrant the next week of cer- 
tifying, will not be done by us; for just as soon as they finish on this side 
of the Tallapoosa, every speculator will be over there. They intend 
first to get a part of that district cut off to McHenry; and if they fail 
in that, they will take their Indians and go on ; for those lands are what 
they are after, and they will have them. They have rogued it and whored 
5 



G6 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

it among the Indians, until I fully believe that, for the purpose of getting 
a piece of land, they would swear before Almighty God that the Indians 
in Russell county were located in Coosa. I think it necessary that one 
of you go down to Ilatchechubba and Ilickory-ground towns, and have 
the best of the lands valued, and ready for certifying; as that is the part 
of the country they intend stealing in. Gentlemen, don't lie on your oars 
with the belief that no man can do any thing with the Indians in that 
part of the country ; for they have Indians of their own, and they will 
fetch them with them. The harvest is nearly over, and perhaps there 
will never be another such a one. I therefore think it necessary for us to 
be up and doing while it lasts. 

Yours, respectfully, 

ELIJAH CORLEY. 

N. B. The judge says he thinks it best to put oft' the settlement with 
the Indians on that side until after the next week. There is plenty of 
money here ready, but we thought it best not to send it until there are 
two or three in company. M. A. Cravens nuist be certain to come with 

Wat and Bailey. The Indians killed old last night, but for what 

cause we have not found out. 

Yours, &c.. 



To Scott & Cravens, 

Tallupoosa, Alabama. 



E. CORLEY. 



FF. 

War Department, May 7, 1836. 

Sir : By the 2d article of the treaty concluded March 24, 1832, with 
the Creek Indians, certain rights to land are secured to the Creek In- 
dians. The mode of locating and conveying these is fixed by the 
treaty. Regulations were adopted prescribing the manner in which con- 
veyances might be made. These required that the parties should ap- 
pear before a certifying agent, who was to inquire into the nature of the 
contract, and reject it if he considered it fraudulent, but to certify it if he 
found it fair and just hi all respects. The contracts were then to be tran.s- 
mitted to this Department, to be laid before the President for his appro- 
bation, under the 3d article of the treaty. 

In the conveyance of these reservations by the (Jreek Indians, there 
have been many allegations of fraud. Instructions have from time to 
tune been given for investigating such frauds. In the mean time, the ac- 
tion of the President has been suspended upon all contracts not pre- 
viously approved by him. Three persons are now engaged in examin- 
ing all those cases where probable grounds of fraud are shown, and where 
the President has not finally approved the contracts. 

It has been the impression of the Department, that where the certify- 
ing agents have certified a contract as correct, the purchaser has ac- 
quired such rights as cannot be set aside without the decision and action 
of the President, under the power vested in him by the 3d article of the 
treaty ; and thus, whether the contracts have been retained by the cer- 
tifying agent or transmitted to this Department, I have supposed that the 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 67 

final action required of the President on the subject of these contracts 
can only be exercised by himself, and that the power cannot be trans- 
ferred to any other persons; bnt they may be authorized to collect evi- 
dence, in order to enable liim to come to a decision. 

It is stated, however, that there is a class of cases differing from these, 
in which the certifying agents have retained the contracts in their pos- 
session, but have not endorsed their approval upon them, I have the 
honor to request your opinion whether the persons authorized to investi- 
gate these alleged frauds can be empowered to set aside this latter class 
of cases, without referriiig the matter to the President, and upon such evi- 
dence as may appear to them to be satisfactory. 

And I have also to request you to inform me whether you consider the 
views herein stated, with relation to the contracts approved by the certi- 
fying agents, correct. 

Very, &c., 

LEWIS CASS. 

Hon. B. F. Butler, 

Attorney General. 



GG. 

Attorney General's Office, 

May 9, 1836. 

Sir: I have had the honor to receive your cormnunication of the 7th, 
and have considered the same. 

Wiien the certifymg agents have retained the contracts in their pos- 
session, but have not endorsed their approval upon them, I have no 
donht the persons employed to investigate the alleged frauds may, upon 
such evidence of fraud as sliall be satisfactory to them, set aside tlie con- 
tracts without referring them to the President. The certifying agents, not 
having approved the contracts, nor completed their investigations, might 
certainly have done this; and I consider the persons specially appointed 
to inquire into these matters as succeeding to the powers, and taking the 
phuc, of the certifying agents. 

In my opinion, the views stated in your letter, in respect to the other 
points therein mentioned, are entirely correct. 

I am, sir, &.c., 

B. F. BUTLER. 

Hon. Lewis Cass, 

Secretary of JVar. 



HH. 



Extract of a communication from the Coynmissioner of Indian Affairs 
to Dr. Mc Henry, dated Septe?nl)er 26, 1835. 

"Until you are otherwise instructed by this department, you are re- 
quested to suspend all recertification of contracts for land made prior to 
tlie 28th of April last." 



68 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

Extracts of a letter from the same officer to L. Tarrant, Esq., dated 

October 28, 1835. 

" You will, therefore, resume your duties as certifying agent under the 
instructions heretofore given, confining yourself to those cases which have 
never before been certified by you, and which of course excludes all re- 
certification." And in a letter of tlie same date to Colonel J. B. Hogan, 
the same officer says, " Judge Tarrant and Dr. McHenry have been in- 
structed to resume their duties as certifying agents in those cases of con- 
tracts which have never before been certified by them, and in no event to 
recertify contracts." 



II. 

Extract of a letter from the Commissioner to Dr. McHenry, dated 

December 1, 1835. 

"Although you have been heretofore instructed not to certify in any 
case, it was intended to be with this exception : that in those cases where 
the purchaser and seller were willing to vacate and surrender the con- 
tract, you might certify to a new contract, because the owner would then 
appear before you with all his original right to dispose of his land, as if 
no sale or pretended sale had taken place." 



KK. 



Extracted from instructions by the Secretary of War to Colonel John 
B. Hogan, dated loth of January, 1836. 

^* Contracts will be certified agreeably to the previous regulations, in 
all cases where no contracts have been before entered into for the sale of 
the lands. But no contract will be declared void except by the final ac- 
tion of the President, nor will any recertificate be granted but in that 
event ; with the exception, however, of those cases in which the parties 
mutually appear and admit that the contract was a fraudulent one. Such 
admission will be reduced to writing, and signed by the parties ; after 
which, a new contract will be certified. The admission, so signed, will be 
transmitted to this Department." 



LL. 



War Department, January 23, 1836. 
Sir: The Commissioner of Indian Affairs has laid before me your let- 
ter of the 11th instant, in which ^^ou suggest that the Creek contracts 
which are declared by the parties to be fraudulent ought not to be re- 
certified until your general report is made. The consequences to which 
you advert render this suggestion proper, and I think the course which 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 69 

you recommend to be ultimately adopted is the correct one. You will, 
therefore, abstain from recertifying any such contracts for the present, 
and the other certifying agents will receive similar instructions. 

Very, &c., 

LEWIS CASS. 
Colonel J. B. Hogan, 

Columbus, Georgia, 



Report of Alfred Balch, oji the frauds charged to have been perpetrated 
in the transfer of Creek Indian lands. 

June 2, 1838. 

On the first day of July, 1836, the House of Representatives of the 
United States passed the following resolution : " Resolved, That the me- 
morial of certain citizens of Alabama and Georgia, respecting alleged 
frauds in the purchase of the reservations of the Creek Indians, and the 
causes of their present hostilities, be referred to the President of the United 
States ; and that he be requested to cause such measures to be taken for 
investigating these transactions, and for the prosecution of the persons en- 
gaged in them, who may have been guilty of any breaches of the laws, 
as may appear to be proper, and within the power of the Executive." 

Under the authority communicated by this resolution, the colleague of 
the undersigned, and himself, were appointed commissioners to perform 
those duties which were deemed necessary by the Executive to the at- 
tainment of the objects of the representatives of the people at the time 
said resolution was adopted. More than a year ago the undersigned and 
his colleague submitted their report upon the causes of the hostilities of 
the Creek Indians against the whites, which broke out in the spring of 
1836 in the Creek country. Having discharged this part of their trust, 
the attention of the midcrsigncd Avas directed to the performance of the 
more diflicult and laborious duty of inquiry into the frauds alleged to have 
been perpetrated in the sale and purchase of the reserves allotted to the 
Creeks under the treaty with that tribe of the 24th of March, 1832. 

In order fully to understand tliis subject, it is necessary to cite certain 
provisions of this treaty, and to explain the condition of the rights and in- 
terests of the Creek rescrvees at tlie time when the undersigned and his 
colleague commenced their investigations. In this treaty it is declared as 
follows: 

"Article 1st. The Creek tribe of Indians cede to the United States all 
iheir land east of the Mississippi river. 

"2d. The United States engage to survey the said land, as soon as the 
same can be conveniently done after the ratification of this treaty ; and 
when the same is surveyed, to allow ninety principal chiefs of the Creek 
tribe to select one section each, and every other head of a family one-half 
section each; which tracts shall be reserved from sale for their use for the 
term of five years, unless sooner disposed of by them. 

" 3d. These tracts may be conveyed by the persons selecting the same to 
any other persons, for difair consideration, in such manner as the Presi- 
dent may direct. The contract shall be certified by some jjerson appoint- 



70 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

ed for that purpose by the President, but shall not be valid till the President 
approves the same." 

As soon as it was practicable, these reserves were surveyed and allotted 
to the reservees. The whole number so assigned was about six thousand 
live hundred. The country in which these lands lay was divided into 
three districts, and a certifying agent appointed to each. The persons se- 
lected were Leonard Tarrant, Robert W. McHenry, and John W. A. 
Sanford. 

It will be perceived that the foregoing provisions of the treaty were in- 
tended to guard the Indians against the effects of their ignorance and im- 
providence, as well as against the secret devices and open frauds that 
might be practised upon them by unprincipled white men. A few sales 
were made by the locating agents. Colonel J. J. Abert and James Bright, 
Esq., with all that circumspection and fidelity for which both these indi- 
viduals are so justly distinguished. 

In order, however, that the articles of the treaty might be fulfilled favor- 
ably to the Indians, and faithfully by the Executive, acting as a trustee for 
them, the following regulations for the government of the certifying agents 
were adopted by the War Department, copies of which were duly trans- 
mitted to them: 

liegulations for certifying contracts under the Creek treaty of March 

24, 1832. 

War Department, November 28, 1833. 

1st. All applications for certifying contracts under the above treaty, in 
order to procure the assent of the President to the conveyance, shall be 
made in writing, and shall be accompanied with the written contract itself 

2d. If the payments arc all made to the satisfaction of the Indian, and 
the fact is clearly established, in the opinion of the approving agent, then 
an absolute deed from the Indian to the white person may be certified. 

3d. But if the payments are not all made at the time the parties ap- 
pear before the approving agent, then the contract must distincthr state 
the time and mode of payment, and the amount actually received. 

4th. As a general rule, no contract will be approved unless a consider- 
ation equal at least to one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre is paid or 
secured to the owner. 

5th. In all cases the agent will make such inquiry as may be in his 
power into the actual value of the tract; and if he believes that such value 
is not paid or secured, he will not certify the contract. 

6th. As, from representations recently received from one of the commis- 
sioners appointed to make the locations, it appears that many of the tracts 
are not so valuable as has been heretofore supposed, nor probably worth 
the minimum price fixed for the public lands, the President does not think 
it just that that sum should be actually paid in every case. When, there- 
fore, a less sum is agreed upon between the parties, tlie approving agent 
will endeavor to ascertain the actual value of the tract, and, if he believes 
the amount agreed upon is a fair price, he will so certify; and his certifi- 
cate will also contain a general description of the tract, agreeably to the 
best information he procures. In all cases arising under this section, the 
circumstances will be particularly examined by the President, whose de- 
cision will be made as may appear to be just. 



r Doc. No. 452. ] 71 

7th. The agent shall, in every case where it is practicable, have an in- 
terview with the Indian, explain to him the transaction, and ascertain 
whether he iniderstands and approves it on a fnll consideration of the 
matter. 

Sth. When, however, the Indian cannot appear before tlie approving 
agent, in such a case the clearest proof must be adduced of the nature of 
the transaction ; and the return must show the proof, and must also state 
why the Indian was not present. 

yth. No patent will be granted until the whole payments are com- 
pleted. 

10th. Copies of the contracts, to be furnished by the parties themselves, 
will be retained by the approving agent; and the originals will be trans- 
mitted to this Department for the consideration of the President. 

11th. The approval of the agent will in no case be final, nor will the 
title of the grantee be valid, until the President approves the same. Pos- 
session, however, may be taken of the tract as soon as the agent certifies 
the contract ; but, in such a case, the party will be liable to removal if the 
President should decline to approve the same. 

12th. A contract for any tract nwy be certified as soon as a })roper lo- 
cating agent shall assign it to an individual Indian. Still, however, it is 
to be observed, that if the President should not confirm such location, the 
whole proceeding with relation to it will be void. 

13th. The coded territory nuist be so divided by the approving agents 
among themselves, tliat each may be confined in his operations within a 
given district, so that applications rejected by one agent may not be acted 
upon by another. 

1 nil. The following is prescribed as the general form of the certificate, 
subject to such variations as circumstances may require : 

" I certify that I have examined the contract between A B, a Creek 
Indian, and C D, for the conveyance to the latter of [here describe the tract 
agreeably to its designation on the plat of the township ;] that the said 
A B has appeared before me, and, after the transaction was fully explain- 
ed to him, approved the same. The sums stated to have been received 
by him were paid in my presence, (or were distinctly acknowledged by 
him, or were clearly proved to have been received, as the case may be.) 
I consider the price given the full value of the land, and certify tlie con- 
tract for the consideration of the President of the United States." 

Where the Indian is prevented by proper circumstances Irom appear- 
ing, then the certificate will be varied so as to show those circumstances, 
and the nature of the proof by which the payments are established. 

Where the price agreed upon is less than Si 25 per acre, the agent 
will add to his certificate a statement that ''the land is proved to my 
satisfaction to be of an inferior quality, (being sandy or marshy, or con- 
taining so many acres only which can be cultivated, or specifying any 
other facts which may have come to his knowledge showing its quality,) 
and that I consider it worth only [here insert the sum]." 

LEWIS CASS. 

Approved, 2Sth November. 1833: 

ANDREW JACKSON. 



72 [ Doc. ISTo. 452. ] 

Supplementary regulations, in addition to those approved by the Pres^ 
idcnt November 28, 1833, /or certifying contracts under the Creek 
treaty of March 24, 1832. 

War Depautment, December IS, 1833. 

In consequence of a representation from one of the certifying agents 
that a construction would be put on the above regulations which would 
inevitably lead to the committing great frauds upon the Indians, in con- 
Gequence of the facility of imposing on them, and the ease with which 
declarations or acknowledgments may be procured, the President is de- 
sirous of guarding against such a result as far as in his power, and of secu- 
ring to every Indian the receipt of a just consideration for his property. 
The following additional and explanatory regulations are therefore 
adopted : 

1st. The payments required by the 2d article of the above regulations 
must be made in the presence of the approving agent, except in the 
very few cases where the Indian may be prevented by illness or inability 
from appearing before the agent. But such cases must be proved by 
the most unexceptionable evidence, as well as the payments made under 
them; and the circumstances must be distinctly stated for the considera- 
tion of the President. 

2d. The contract described in the 2d article of the above regulations 
must be entered into subsequent to the location of the reservation. 

3d, The form in the 14th article will be so varied as to omit the words- 
"or were distinctly acknowledged by him, or were clearly proved to 
have been received, as the case may be,'^ except in the cases described 
in the 1st article of these supplementary regulations, where the Indians 
are prevented by disability from personal attendance. 

LEWIS CASS. 

Approved, December IS, 1833: 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

Early in the year 1834, Judge TaiTant, Doctor McHenry, aad General 
Sanford entered upon the performance of the duties with which they 
were charged. Very soon after the first sales under the authority of 
these agents were made, the purchasers commenced the practice of frauds 
upon the reservees. McHenry acknowledges this fact in his letter of the 
I2th of March, 1834: (See Doc. House of Representatives, session of 
1835-6, No. 2747page IIG.) 

Columbus County, (Alabama,) 

March 12, 1834. 
Sir : I have had the hmior to receive yonr lettei-s, one of the 17th and 
the other of the 21st of February, on the II th instant, reqtiesting me to 
furnish you with such information as lay in my power respecting frauds 
which have been practised upon the Indians. I have no doubt but some 
of the Indians are swindled out of a part of their money, and there is 
but one way to remedy it ; and that is, to deposite one-third or one-half 
of the amount of the money their land brings, in bank, to be paid over to 
(hem when they emigrate, and let them pay off their debts with tlie re- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 73 

mainder, for they are very much in debt. If I have certified to a con- 
tract where it was a special understanding between tlie parties that a part 
or all of the money was to be refunded, 1 do not know it. I have used 
every means in my power to detect any thing of the kind. There have 
been two instances where the wrong Indian was brought before me for 
the purpose of getting their contracts confirmed, but they did not succeed. 
Whether it was done through ignorance, or with a design to defraud, I 
am not at present able to determine. 

At the time Mr. Howard wrote the letter which you transmitted me a 
copy of, I had certified to about ten or twelve contracts — five or six for 
General Woodward, and the same for JNIr. Cook. I think those Indians 
were honestly dealt by. 

On the 18t'h, 19th, 20th, and 21st of February, I was at Fort Hull, and 
certified to a large number of contracts. This was subsequent to the 
date of Mr. Howard's letter. I saw nothing like t'rand there. The firm 
of Haden & Centre paid in the same bills three different times. I stop- 
ped certifying for them, and, in presence of the company, called on them 
for an explanation. They immediately produced receipts against a num- 
ber of the Indians they had purchased from to considerable amounts, 
which they acknowledged to be correct. The receipts were also witness- 
ed by two white persons ; the diflerent amoiuits liad been paid in their 
presence previous to their contract benig certified to — some one or two 
years before. The firm stated, the Indians had paid them back what 
they had already advanced them. They have had a store in the nation 
for the last two or three years; they have furnished the Indians with 
clothing and provision to a considerable amount ; and a large number of 
them owe them considerable amounts of money. I have previously 
written to you respecting tiie firm of Doyle, Islands, & Stand; I will fur- 
ther add, from the best information I can get, they borrow the money 
back from the Indians, and give them their notes for the amount, to be 
paid when they sell their lands, or when they emigrate to Arkansas. By 
this means they are contracting a debt with the Indians, which they are 
not worth one twentieth part of, and have it completely in their power to 
swindle them out of their lands. I suppose, if they would act in good 
faith towards the Indians, it would be three or four years before they 
could sell the lands, consequently would prevent emigration; for they 
would not leave until they would get their money. 

I was at Columbus a few days since. General San ford stated to me 
that in several instances they had produced the wrong Indian, and he had 
certified to the contract, and he had since detected it, and was investi- 
gating some of them when I was there. I am extremely cautious, and 
examine every case strictly. I have for some time back reqviired respect- 
able persons and good judges of land to go and examine each tract, and 
state on oath what they think the land is worth. 

I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 

ROBERT W. McHENRY, 

Certifying Agent. 

Hon, Lewis Cass, Secretary of War. 

On the 12th of February, 1835, (see same document, and page 129,) 
McHenry writes to the Conmiissioner of Indian Affairs, " Owing to some 
frauds that have been practised upon me, I have not forwarded any con- 
tract for some time." 



74 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

On the 16th March, 1835, (see same document and same page,) Ho- 
pothloholo and other chiefs write to the S(;cretary of War as follows: 

TucKABATCHEE TowN, Mctrch IG, 1835. 
We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being head chiefs of the 
Creek nation, humbly petition your intervention to stop fraud being prac- 
tised upon our people. It has become notorious that we are daily having 
our lands stolen from us by designing white people. 

The Indians living on the east side of the nation have long since dis- 
posed of their lands, and are now following the agents in our section of 
country, with a band of white speculators, claiming other Indian names, 
and having undisposed-of lands certified to. This course of conduct has 
been introduced about twenty days ago, and has succeeded i)i getting all 
unsold land, except such of the Indians as the agents are personally ac- 
quainted with. A number of our people have died since being located : all 
such cases are stolen by living Indians, through the influence of white men. 
We believe, without your interference, justice will not be had. We pledge 
ourselves that every statement here made can be established by disinter- 
ested white people. During the last ten days we have no doubt that 
hundreds of Indians' names have been stolen and certified to, when the 
right owners were at home and knew nothing of such contracts. 

W^e now humbly beg for an investigation to be had, and for the white 
people making such purchases to be requested to produce the Indian before 
the agents, so that such Indian, having a just right, may have an oppor- 
tunity of establishing his just claim. This course will bring round an 
opportunity of introducing correct proof We find that such Indians as 
are stealing get but a small pittance in comparison to the fair value ; for 
the lands are certified to any large prices, and the money immediately 
taken from them, telling the Indian that it is likely this contract will not 
be approved of 

We sincerely petition you to adopt some plan whereby justice may be 
had. We will ever pray, &c. 

Your red brothers, 

HOPOTHLOHOLO, his + mark. 
YOUNG KING, his + mark. 
TUSKENEAHHAH, his + mark. 
LITTLE DOCTOR, his + mark. 
FOSACHE MICCO, his + mark. 
LATTAH MICCO, his + mark. 
OLD KING, his -f- mark. 
MICCO 0130 Y, his + mark. 
To the Hon. Secretauv of War. 

On the 23d of the same month, these chiefs and many others addressed 
an affecting letter to the agent, McHenry, which is as follows : 

CoosAWDA, March 23, 1835. 

Our dear Brother : We, the undersigned, chiefs and headmen of the 
Creek tribe of Indians residing east of the Mississippi river, in general 
council assembled, deem it due to ourselves, to you, and to our people, to 
make known to you the situation in which some of us, and many of our 



[ Doc. No. 452. J 75 

people, have been placed, by frauds which have been practised upon us 
in tlie certification of contracts for land. 

We had fondly hoped, sir, that after we had sold our territory to the 
United States, reserving our humble homes, that we should have been 
})ermitted to enjoy them unmolested; or at least, if we should be compelled 
to sell them, the small pittance arising from the sale should belong to us 
and to our cliildren. But, sir, in this we have been mistaken. We were 
informed by our great father, at the time we entered into the treaty by 
which we sold our country, that when we should sell our reservations he 
would appoint men to superintend the sale of them who were too high- 
minded and honorable, and too far removed from vulgar prejudice and 
sordid attachment, to countenance, in the smallest degree, any frauds that 
might be attempted to be practised upon us ; and in order to consummate 
this promise, you, sir, were selected as one of those men. We, sir, were 
pleased with your appointment, and yet esteem you as a man who de- 
sires to do us justice ; but we must assure you, in tlie language of respect- 
ful friendship, that the course recently pursued at your oliice is such as 
meets our disay)probation, and is calculated to oppress and ruin some of 
our people. \N'e write this, therefore, to you, not to censure you, but to 
apprize you of facts which we are bound, in justice to ourselves, to com- 
municate. The causes of our complaints are the following : We learn 
that almost all the land in your certifying district has been sold, and what 
is not sold is protested ; that is, some person has ])urchased and has not 
brought forward the reservees for certification. Now, sir, we assure you 
of the fact, that there has been at least one-third of the contracts for the 
sale of lands in the towns of Tuckabatchee, Thlobthlocco or James Boy, 
Clewalla, Tallassee, and Otisee, that are fraudulent, and the land certi- 
fied to the wrong Indian. There are also many other contracts of a sim- 
ilar character in other towns. We wish not to he understood as charging 
you with having wilfully certified contracts to wrong Indians, although 
the voice of a part of the community cries out against you. We only wish 
to state these frauds do exist, and to excite you to vigilance and perse- 
verance in detecting them. In what kind of predicament, sir, are we 
placed ! An Indian, sir, who has sold his land at the instance of some 
Uondish. di'si?ning scoundrel, comes before you and claims the name of 
another Indian to whom the land rightfully belongs: the money is forth- 
with given up to the purchaser, save that portion which was to he given 
to the Indian as a premium for his rascality. In this way, sir, a few hun- 
dred dollars and four or five Indians could sell all the land in the Creek 
]iurchase, and we know in this way hundreds of contracts have been 
made. The homes which have been rendered valuable by the labor of 
our hands are torn from us by a combination of designing speculators 
who haunt your oliice, and who, like the man among the tombs, are so 
fierce that no one can pass that way. The helpless widow and orphan, 
the aged and infirm failier, are alike the victims of their cupidity. Sir, 
we have borne with this oppression until forbearance has ceased to be a 
virtue ; and we are determined to speak out, let the consequences be as 
they may. While we have been at home, preparing something for our 
tlependent families to subsist on, other Indians have sold our homes, 
our all, the only means for our support; and when we have applied to 
you for redress, what has most frequently been the result ? Why, sir, that 
you would inquire into it. You place the burden of proof upon us; you 



76 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

exclude the testimony of our people, the only persons who can know 
much satisfactorily in relation to our claims. We are required to prove 
a negative — that we have not been the person who sold ; all of Avhich 
we assert is oppressive. And although we have the charity to believe 
that you do not design these things to injure us, yet we must state, if per- 
sisted in, they will work our destruction. But worse than all this, and 
more to be regretted, is the fact, through fear of the merciless horde who 
surround your office, our people cannot speak to you in defence of their 
just rights, without subjecting themselves to punishment. 

Sir, we again repeat that we believe you are inclined to do us justice ; 
and under this belief we rest satisfied that you will adopt some speedy 
and efficient means of detecting and exposing to the world the base frauds 
which have been practised upon yourself and us ; and, in conclusion, we 
would humbly suggest, that the deeds which have lately been certified 
by you, (say within the last thirty or forty days,) be retained, and that they 
undergo an investigation, and that hereafter the purchaser or his agent be 
required (as is done elsewhere) to make oath that he b(ilieves the Indian 
from whom he has purchased is the Indian located on the land sought to 
be purchased from him. We have thought that the condition in which 
our people have been placed required that we talk thus plainly to you; 
and in order more effectually to secure the protection desired, we have 
sent a communication similar to this to our great father the President of 
the United States. 

On the 25th of March, 1835, McHenry wrote to the Commissioner of 
Indian Aftairs as follows : (see same document, page 134.) 

Columbus, (Georgia,) March 25, 1835. 

Sir: General J. W. A. Sanford gave me up his book on the 23d inst. 
There are but a few contracts remaining uncertified to on his books. 

I wish you to retain the last packages of certified Creek contracts for a 
short time, for I have no doubt but the wrong Indian has been introduced 
and certified to in several instances. I have a number of certified con- 
tracts remaining in my own hands, which I shall investigate. I have 
never seen corruption carried on to such perfection in all my life before, 
A number of the land purchasers think it rather an honor than a dishonor 
to defraud an Indian out of his land ; and if the agent cannot detect the 
fraud in passing the contract, he cannot prescribe an oath which they will 
not take. I do not wish you to understand that all purchasers are so cor- 
rupt, for I believe, in many instances, the purchaser has bought, as he 
believes, from the right Indian ; for you find them roving all over the 
country, assuming different names, and seUing lands which do not belong 
to them, and make it matter of speculation. 

If the proper course is pursued this season by the emigrating agent, I 
think a thousand or fifteen hundred Indians will go to Arkansas. 

My own opinion is, if the Government would pay off the annuily im- 
mediately, and insinuate to the head chiefs that it was the last that would 
be paid off here, they would emigrate in a mass. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ROBERT W. McHENRY. 

E. Herring, Esq., 

Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 



[ Dec. No. 452. ] 77 

It will be seen that McIIenry here charges these people with the com- 
mission, not only of frauds, but with a willingness to commit any sort of 
perjury, in order to effect their criminal designs. 

This documentary evidence, and much more which it is unnecessary to 
lay before the honorable Secretary, created in the mind of the under- 
signed a settled belief that a disgraceful system of swindling had been 
practised upon the Creeks in the pretended sale and purchase of their 
reserves in McHenry's district, by a large nmnber of persons united to- 
gether for that purpose. The President and Secretary of War were in- 
formed of the existence of these frauds. McHenry was directed to cease 
from certifying, by a letter of the 2Slh of April, 1S35, and to investigate 
the complaints that had been made. 

He proceeded to the performance of this duty, and reported that he had 
reversed upwards of three hundred claims. But the Secretary of War was 
not satisfied with the partial inquiries of McHenry, and Colonel J. B. 
Hogan was appointed to examine into the alleged frauds. Colonel Hogan 
was fully (lualified to j)erform this unpleasant task, possessing, as he did, 
honesty, energy, industry, and impartiality. He reported six hundred 
and fifty-six frauds upon the Indians in McHenry's district, being nearly 
one-third of the whole number of reserves laid off to the Indians in that 
district. When Colonel Hogan made his report, objections were taken 
thereto, more formal than substantial, in the judgment of the undersigned, 
and this agrnt was onlercd to make a reinvestigation. But, before ho 
was able to do so, hostilities were commenced by the Creeks, and nothing 
mor<; was done by that vigilant and faithful public ollicer. It was in this 
condition of atlairs that the undersigned and his colleague were ordered 
to repair to McHenry's district, and finish, if practicable, the work which 
Colonel Hoijan had begun. They were furnished by the Commissioner 
of Indian All'airs with all the foregoini,' evidence, and nuich more of the 
sanif character, together with copies of the reports of the agents, McHenry 
and Hogan. 

About the time when the undersigned reached the Creek country, the 
great body of the Indians commenced their march for Arkansas. From 
them it was impossible to obtain any valuable information on the subject 
of the frauds which had excited so much feeling in every honest bosom 
in that quarter. Whatever additional testimony it might be possible to 
reach, must either come from the guilty claimants themselves, or , from 
white men wlio were personally acquainted with the recent transactions 
so loudly romplained of. It was ascertained that several persons of re- 
spectability were willing to come forward and depose to such facts as 
they knew, touching the frauds practised before McHenry. The depo- 
sitions which they gave are as follows: 

The State op Alabama, Chambers county : 

Deposition of Arnold Scale, taken before Felix Stanley, an acting justice 
of the peace in and for said county, to be read in all cases to which it 
may apply, wliich are now pending before Thomas H. Crawlbrd and 
Alfred Balch, Esquires, now sitting as commissioners to investigate 
the frauds alleged to have been committed in the sale of Creek Indian 
reservations, &c. 

Tliis deponent, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he resided at 
the office of Dr. McHenry during the time he was certifying Creek Indian 



78 [ Doc. IS'o. 452. ] 

reservations, and was acquainted with most of the traders who were pur- 
chasing hidian land in the Creek country. Some time in the month of 
February, 1S35, he learned, by report, that persons were stealing land at 
Columbus, before General Sanford. A short time afterwards, McHenry 
was called on by the Columbus company to go down to the lower part of 
his district to certify contracts. On his return, he informed me that he had 
certified a great many contracts during that trip below. He also informed 
me that in a few days there would be a great many Indians brought up 
to be certified by the people from Columbus and the lower part of the 
district. Accordingly, in a few days they began to pour in from different 
quarters, and I found there was a great confusion among them, before they 
would commerce certifying in relation to their Indians. I ascertained from 
Thomas S. Woodward and others their plan of operations. Woodward 
stated that they should not certify until they had made arrangements with 
him. He afterwards told me they had done it ; that he was not to certify 
any lands to the company, but that he was to be silent, and was to draw an 
equal share with them. There were to be ten shares in the company, as 
they afterwards informed me ; they reported two men to each share. I 
do not now recollect all of their names, but, so far as I do recollect, they 
were D. McUougald, General J. C. Watson, N. M. and D. Thornton, Co- 
lumbus Mills, Luther Blake, McDaniel, J. A. Hudson, Woodland, Walker; 
and the two Fitzpatricks were to draw the tenth share ; there were also 
Paddy Carr, J. G. Worsham, E. S. Shorter, and I think Peahody and Hale ; 
the balance I do not now recollect. They informed me that they had other 
men operating for them on shares ; that they furnished Wadsworth with 
money, and also Chamberlain and others. It appeared that Shorter, B. 
P. Tarver, the Scotts, and E. Corley formed another company ; and Milton 
J. Tarver, Job Taylor, Johnson, and Hargroves another ; and George 
Stone, Brooks, Strange, McBride, Mitchell, the Hadens, J. J. McCrory, 
the Cravens, John McQueen, and Samuel Williams all appeared to be 
active operators, and, I believe, certified a great many contracts during 
the land-stealing. 

A good many contracts were certified to A. J. Robinson & Co. Robin- 
son, it appears, was interested in difierent companies. One part of A. J. 
Robinson's contracts it appeared that Williams, Gilder, and Vann were 
interested in, which contracts Vann has informed me that he held them and 
would not give them up, nor suffer them to be sold by Robinson. Some 
time in the early part of March, 1835, the land-stealers were crowding 
into the office by droves, and certifying contracts very fast, and it appeared 
as though they would steal all the Indian lands. They seemed to carry on 
the business in the way of sport, and Wadsworth toasted a little crowd, 
in my presence, " Here's to the man that can steal the most land to-morrow 
without being caught at it." About this time I opposed them and got 
into a difliculty, when Hargroves theatened to kill any man who would 
oppose them ; that he believed that every man who was trading with the 
Indians was stealing lands ; that he was, and that I was a fool if I did 
not go into it, I then informed the agent that they were stealing the land, 
and boasted of it in my presence when he was absent. McHenry then 
closed his book on them, and refused to certify for one day. There were 
various propositions made to me by diflferent members of these companies, 
some to join them, and some not to oppose their contracts. Dozier Thorn- 
ton proposed to give me the best section of land he had in the country if 
I would pass by (that is, not oppose) the contracts when his name was read 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 79 

against a st.ilen contract. At this time I begged him to qnit the business, as 
it was too base for any honest man to be engaged in. Nat. Macon Tiiorn- 
ton tried me at ditierent times to get me to join them, setting forth ditl'er- 
enl reasons ; one was, that onr Government was sunk, and nothing but 
money could bear a man up atur this time ; another was, that it was better 
to give an Indian ten dollars than one thousand, as money only proved a 
curse to Indians ; another was, that he respected me and wished me to 
make a fortune while it was in my power, that now was the time, and I 
must be simple if I did not go into it. I was tried by Thomas S. Wood- 
ward at ditierent times ; he stated that I was very much in their way, and 
that, if I was out of the way. they would not ask the balance of the com- 
pany any odds. He wanted to know what I would take and quit the 
country, and not operate any more in the nation. I replied that I would 
take live thousand dollars, which lie thought was a small sum ; but I re- 
quired of him that they should give up all the lands they had stolen, and 
bind themselves not to steal any more; which he would not agree to do. 
I then intormcd him that their compauy was not worth money enough to 
put me down. Alter this, McDougald came to me to make arrang«'ments 
with mc, and we agreed on the terms of a compromise, which wore that he 
and his company were to give up all their stolen contracts and guaranty 
to me and my company the right of buying and recertit'ying the true In- 
dians. William DouLdierty ainl myself went to Columbus, and drew up 
articles of a^rcennjiit to that effect, and presented thcn/to the company; 
when D. Thornton objected to siijn them, for the reason that it woidd 
be an open confession of having stolen the land, and that they had some 
regard tor character ; and the compromise was not etlectcd. iMcDougald 
seemed to be anxious, and stated to mc that he was willing to pay the 
right Indians for their land, but that the business had become dull, and 
they had adopti^d this plan to brin:; about a reaction, and cause the true 
owners to sell their lands. I inlornied those men that this land-stealing 
would cause irmorcnt blood to l)e shed; tiiat the Indians were declaring 
daily that they would kill any white man who would come and settle on 
their lands, as thoy had never sold their land; and I informed them that 
innocent fanlilies woidd be the sutf('rers,as they would buy the land and 
would movp on it. I feared that it would cause the innocent to be killed, 
as the Indians would kill the man that would take possession of their land; 
but they would not cease tVom the evil of their ways. 

This deponent further states, that during this certifying of lands there 
were a large number of contracts which appeared from the books to be 
certified to Thornton and others, with the true owners of which this de- 
})onent was intimately acquainted ; he states that he was in and about the 
ortice daily, and did not .sec these Indians on the ground. Witness fur- 
ther states that h<! kept provisions for sale, and that those companies of 
land-stealers did buy a large (piantity of provisions and furnish the Indi- 
;ms with them, both at the otlice and in the camp ; it seemed to be almost 
inq)ossible to keep a supply, as the number was so great at .some limes. 
There were, I think, from four to five hundred, and Irom that to one 
thousand Indians in their camps. Witness stat(;s that he was acquainted 
with some of the Indians belonging to the upper Ufaula town. Nioke 
was one who was located to S. 7 21 22 ; this Indian's land was stolen. 
Pascoaf Iladjo, who was located to W. 9 20 24 ; this ca.se was given up 
by N. M. Thornton, and was recertified to J. J. Kidd in my presence. 



80 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

Jonathan A, Hudson and D. Thornton did give up the S. 12 16 24, which 
was located to an Indian named Talliah, ol'tlie Coosa wda town : this con- 
tract was after wards recertified to witnessand J. A. Hudson. James Aber- 
crombie, after hearing tlie statement of the witnesses, gave up the case 
of Shnmecar, who was located to W. 1 17 23 ; he stated that he did not 
know tiie Indian, and that he had been imposed upon, and would not con- 
tend for the land ; afterwards it was recertified to deponent. N. M. 
Thornton gave up some contracts, that were afterwards recertified to 
Washburn. Witness states that he has seen various contracts given up 
by various persons. Deponent states that he did attend the investigations 
in McHenry's district, strictly, and generally with a strong company; that 
the company pledged themselves that tiiere should be a fair investigation. 
The company was strong, because there had been various threats made by 
the land-stealers to kill some, of both whites and Indians, who should 
try to break up the stolen contracts. Deponent knows that Dr. McHcnry 
gave public notice of tlie time and place of holding the investigations. 
Deponent saw advertisements to that effect at dilferent times and various 
places, notifying all persons interested to attend to their claims ; and 
he knows tliat many of the land stealers did attend, and some of 
them seemed to be willing to give up their stolen contracts. They stated 
that they were driven to the act by the Columbus company, that they had 
made advances to the true holders of the land, and they had to adopt this 
plan to secure their advance-money. Deponent states that among these 
were Job Taylor, George Stone. Philip Fitzpalrick, and Thomas S. Wood- 
ward : these all seemed willing to give up their stolen contracts, and were 
rebuying of the right Indians and recertifying them. These men stated 
to me that they did oppose this plan of operation, but could not put it 
down. Deponent has seen Woodward point out contracts to Dr. McIIen- 
ry on his book, which he stated were stolen; that he knew the right Indians, 
and knew they liad not been introduced before the agent : that he was 
interested in the contracts, though his name was not known, and that he 
felt authorized to give them up. Deponent furtiier states, that he attend- 
ed the investigations held by Col. J. B. Hogan, in Sanford's district, with the 
exception of a few days. He knows that Col. Hogan gave public notice of 
the time and place of holding his investigations, and called on those com- 
plained of, when they were present, to make their defence if they had 
any. These persons were very often present. Deponent states, that the 
first investigation he attended in Sanford's district was held at Fort 
Mitchell. The Indians seemed to be backward in coming up before the 
agent. Witness states that he was in and about the camps, about a mile 
from the place, where there seemed to be several hundred Indians. The 
Indians stated they were furnished Avith beef, by Paddy Carr, Mills, 
Blake, and, I think, Hudson. Thy further stated that they were told by 
these men not to go before Hogan to complain, that Hogan only wanted 
to enrol them to send them off to Arkansas. Witness states that he found 
the land-stealers very strong. Witness did not expect that justice could 
be done, in consequence of their influence ; and he returned to Chambers 
county, to make up a company, and to get interpreters, which he did, and 
then returned to Sanford's district. Before deponent got back, Colonel 
Hogan had left for Irwinton. About this time a difficulty occurred be- 
tween the Indians and some of the Columbus people, down on the river : 
as deponent thought, it was got up for the purpose of stopping the inves- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 81 

ligations. From the time I returned with my company. I continued with 
Col. Ilogan through the investigations. l)eponent states that he was 
informed by Col. Ho^an, when he arrived at Glenn's, on tlie Ilatchechubba, 
tliat Dr. Mills stated he would go to Columbus and raise McDougald's 
company and drive me and my company olf, at which place Col. Hogan 
investigated and reversed a good many contracts. From thence Col. Ho- 
gan, deponent, and others went to the Cowiga, near Gibson's, and Col. 
Hogan there investigated and reversed some contracts. But a great many 
Indians, it seemed, were intiuenced by these land-stealers, and kept off. 
This I learned from the Indians themselves. From thence, Col. Hogan 
returned to Fort Mitcliell, and sent by nie the notices for holding an in- 
V(;stigation in the Tonanulgar town. I went there and remained until 
Hogan returned, and he then commenced the investigation again, when 
he tound very strong opposition from McDougald's comj>any. It appeared 
that Mills, Blake, Hudson, and Paddy Carr, had the Indian chiefs well 
drilled to force the common Indians to go up and state that they had sold 
their lands to some of the company. Deponent heard some of the Indi- 
ans, when iiUerrogated by the agent, state that they had not sold their 
lands ; when the chiefs would speak and tell them they must not say that, 
but they must say ihey had sold to some of that company. It seems 
that Paddy Carr atid some others were kept out constaiitly drilling the 
Indians. Dfponent hoard Dr. Mills, through his interpreter, drilling an 
luflian. When the Imhan asked Mills what he must say when he went 
before the agent. Mills told him lni must say he had sold his land to 
him, (Mills.) Deponent recollects one case that occurred during the inves- 
tigation. The Indian denied having sold his land, when Hudst)n or some 
of the company claimed the land. Col, Ilogan told them to make some 
showing to establish their claim, and they m.ide none. Col. Hogan then 
reversed the ca.se. After this, Hudson took the Indian out and drilled him 
until, I suppose, he tlion^ht tin; Indian would coid'ess that Ik? had sold 
his land. It appeared that Hudson had given the Indiana written paper 
permitting him to live on the land, and then came back with the Indian 
before the agent. Hudson stated to the agent that he thought if he (Ho- 
gan) would interrogate the Indian again, he would acknowledge that 
he had sold his land. Hoi?an then called on the Indian again, at which 
time the Indian priscnted the paper; Col. Hogan asktid him who gave 
him the paper ; he answered Hudson, and pointed at him. Hogan then 
asked him again if he had .sold his land to Hudson, when the Indian 
answered no. Ilogan, as well as I recollect the question, asked him 
what that j)a])er was for; the Indian then stated that he might live on the 
land, and Hndsou would save his land for him. The Indian stated to 
the a^ent that Hudson had promised him that he would drive.* the white 
people off, and he should have his land again. Hogan, at this, seemed 
to get into a passion, and, I think, tore up the paper and told the Indian 
that it was of no account, and that the land was his own. Hogan then 
addres.sed the white people, and stated that this contract stands reversed, 
and cautioned those land- stealers against such a course of conduct with 
th(* Indians. Ilogan met the Indians the tie.vt day near Cliapman's store, 
when McDougald anrl his company opposed him very strongly. They 
had some difliculty and short words, but Hogan investigated and reversed 
some contracts. I then left, anfl went to the store of Chapman, where, as 
I was informed by Col. Hogan and others, Daniel McDougald took out of 
6 



82 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

his saddlebags several hundred dollars in silver, and strewed it on tlio 
ground, and set the Indians to picking it up, as a breaking-up show of that 
investigation. Hogan then left for Tuskegee, and Major Abbott set out 
for the Opilike, Oswitche, and Chowockolo towns, to investigate. De- 
ponent having heard that the land-stealers had sent an Indian and a 
whit« man ahead to drill the Indians before the agent got there, a part of 
deponent's company pursue<^l them, overtook them, and broke them up, 
and the investigation was conducted in good order ; and a great many con- 
tracts were reversed, and deponent thinks justly. These transactions 
took place, as well as deponent remembers, in February, 1836. 

Cross examined : 

Deponent states that he understands enough of the Indian language to 
converse with them. The statements which he has deposed to as having 
been made to him by the Indians, relative to their being told not to go 
before Hogan, were made in that language. He further states that at the 
investigations by Colonel Ilogan, in Sanford's district, he told the Indians, 
on all occasions, if their lands had been stolen they ought to go before the 
agent and complain. He also states that after Hogau commenced his in- 
vestigations in Sanford's district, he formed a company, and went round 
for the purpose of seeing justice done, and for the purpose of buying up 
land that had not been sold, and such contracts as should be reversed by 
Hogan. The company made but few purchases in Sanford's district. 

Re-examiaed by district attorney: 

Deponent states, that among other Indians with whom he had the con- 
versation referred to in his direct examination, were Oakfuske Yoholo and 
Cussitaw Micco ; these Indians were Ciissitaw chiefs, but resided in the 
Secharlecha town. These chiefs stated that they had been sent for by Paddy 
Carr, and, as well as deponent recollects, b)'^ Jilake, Mills, and McDougald, 
to use their influence to prevent the Indians from going up to complain 
before Colonel Hogan. They stated they had been instructed by these 
persons to tell the Indians that Hogan could not give them back their 
lands, but only wanted to enrol them to carry them ofl' to Arkansas. These 
chiefs had a good many relations residing in tiie Tonanulgar town, and 
were supposed to have great influence over that town. Deponent fur- 
ther states, that while hi Sanford's district, and before the investigation 
was closed, Luther Blake came to the camp where this deponent was 
staying with others, and in a conversation between the said Blake and 
.lohii J. Williams, who is now deceased, Blake admitted and said that he 
had made arrangements with the Indians residing on the Uchee creek, 
meaning, as this deponent understood, the Tonanulgar and Wartoolarharka 
towns, to go before Hogan and acknowledge that they had sold their 
lands, and had promised them, if they would do it, they should eventually 
be paid for their land. Blake further stated that he intended to pay them. 
Deponent further states that, to the best of his knowledge and recollection, 
he has no interest in any reversed claim in Sanford's district, except three, 
that were purchased by the company after reversal, and but in few cases 
of any other description in that district, his whole interest being confined 
to four or five claims. Deponent further states that he uniformly told the 
Indians that if they had ever been before the certifying agent, and re- 
ceived any meney for their lands, they should not complain. He uniformly 
impressed upon the chiefs with whom he conversed, the necessity of cau- 
tioning their people against complaining if they had honestly sold. De- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 83 

poncnt further states that an Indian woman named Otikar, belonging to 
the Luchipogii town, and from whom he had purchased a reservation 
while a copartner in the finn of N. M. Thornton & Co., came to him 
during llie time r "fcrri/d to, wlien the great certifying took place before 
^Jclienry, and insisted tliat he should have the contracts certified, liaving 
some time before disposed of Ids interest in tlie concern to D. & N. M. 
Thornton & Co, He states that he went in company with said Indian to 
N. M. Tiiornton,and told him he nmst have the contract certified. Thorn- 
ton replied that it had just been rertified. Deponent states that he re- 
marked to Thornton that if it was certified it was stolen, and that mdess 
he would immediately satisfy the woman he would go in and iiave it 
ripped up. Thornton then agreed to pay the woman five dollars in cash 
and give her her account, amounting to fifty-five dollars, if she would be 
satisfied. Tlie woman took the money and mad** her mark to a deed ; 
but she was not taken before the agent at that time, nor, as this deponent 
believes, at any other time, to be certified to her reservation. The con- 
tract was originally certified to B. V. Iverson & Co. Deponent further 
states that, in the conversalion he had with McDougald, in Columbus, 
and referred to in his direct examination, he understood McDougald's 
remark, "that the plan of stealing had been adopti^d to bring about a 
reartion, and cause the true owners to soil their lands," as referring both 
to Sanl'ord's and .McHenry's districts. At the time the negotiation was 
going on, it was a(hnitt«-d by McDougald and the company that there 
were a great many stolm coiUracts, and this admission was understood to 
refer as much to Santord'r> as to McHenry's district; that out of about 
one himdred and s<jventy contracts certified to by one branch of this com- 
pany, .MrDt)Ug.ilil sfatt.'d thrre wore about forty hom'st ronlraets, and 
iIms" wtrr contracts which had bem cfrlifietl to by Ab:Crory and Walker. 
'I'iicsf' contracts were embraced within certain dafrs which this de])onent 
does not now recollect, but thinks it was from the IHth February, 1835. 

Cross-examined : 

Deponent st.ites that it was not expressly stated in what district the 
huii(h(;d and seventy contracts were, but he underst<iod them to he in both 
districts. 

ARNOLD 8EALE. 

Statk ok Ai.au \m \, dhamhers couuttf, s.^ : 

I, Felix Stanley, a?i acting justice of the jieacc in and for said cotmty, 
do hereby certify that the tbn*going deposition was answered, subscribed, 
and sworn to, before me, this 21sl day of Fel)ruarv, ix.jy. 

FELIX STANLEY, y. P. 

State of Alabama, Macnn ronnty : 

Interrogatories to be exhibiteil to Arnold Scale, to be read before T. 

Hartley Crawford and Alfred IJalch, commissioners of alleged frauds in 

the Creek country in Alabama. 

Interrogatory 1. Were you ever engaged in the same company of land 
speculators with Daniel McDougald? 

Interrogatory 2. In your deposition, previously taken, you state that 
McDougald admitted that his (McDougald's) company had one hun- 
dred and thirty stolen cases and but forty good ones, and that this admis_ 



84 [ Boc. No. 452. ] 

sion extended to Sanford's district as well as to McHenry's. State whether 
or not this was the observation made by McDougald : that he ( McDou- 
gald ) " knew that about forty of the alhided-to cases were genuine, for that 
he had attended to that number in person, but that it was hkely that there 
might be some of the contracts imperfectly certified, and, if so^ he regretted 
it, and should use his exertions to have them rectified ;" and were not 
these remarks made in opposition to an opinion advanced by yourself; 
and in this conversation were any allusions had to Sanford's district ? 

Interrogatory 3. Do you recollect a letter written by McDougald to the 
company in which he was interested in Chambers county ? If you do, 
what was the purport of that letter, and do you know where it is ? If in 
your power, custody, or control, please attach the same or a copy thereof 
to your answer ; and if not, state whether or not in that letter McDougald 
did not urge upon the company to deal fairly and liberally with the In- 
dians, and in no case to take back the money. 

Interrogatory 4. Did you ever see or know of McDougald's having cer- 
tified an improper Indian, or defrauded one in any way? and state whe- 
ther or not you did consider him a fair and liberal man in all his dealingf^ 
with the Indians. 

Interrogatory 5. In your previous deposition on the subject taken 
by Bryant you state that Col. Hogan returned to Fort Mitchell, and sent 
by you the notices for holding an investigation in the Tonanulgar town ; 
that deponent went there and remained until Hogan returned; he then, 
commenced the investigation again, when he met with opposition from 
McDougald and his company. State where Tonanulgar town alluded to 
is situated, and what sort of opposition was made by McDougald and his 
company. 

Interrogatory 6. In your previous examination, before alluded to, you. 
state that Hogan met the Indians the next day at Chapman's store, where 
McDougald and his company opposed liim very strongly, that they had 
some difficulty and short words. State the means of opposition used by 
McDougald, and the short words; and was not the difficulty alluded to in 
relation to a tract of land bought by Lucas, Avho was killed by an Indian 
a considerable time previous, and alleged by McDougald to have been 
purchased at administrator's sale by hmi, (McDougald,) at the price of 
four thousand dollars, with the approved contract in his possession? Did 
not the Indian located on said land deny having sold it, but admit that he 
^ had received various sums of money from Lucas; but did not the chiefs 
and other Indians assert that he had sold to Lucas? 

Interrogatory 7. Did not Hogan say to McDougald, that if he would 
pay the Indian two hundred and eighty dollars, he would not reverse the 
case ? Did not McDougald refuse to do so, because he said that the Indian 
had been paid, but that he was willing to give the money to the town? 
and state whether or not he did so. 

Interrogatory 8. In your previous deposition you state that McDougald 
came to you to make arrangements with you, and that you agreed on the 
terms of a compromise, which was, that he and his company were to give 
up all the stolen contracts, and guaranty to you and your company the 
right of recertifying the true holders. Did you not come or send to 
McDougald, and did you not say that you would enter into an arrange- 
ment with McDougald ? If you did, what reason did you give for being 
willing to negotiate with Iiim in preference to others ? 



[ Doc. 1^0. 452. ] 

Interrogatory 9. Who composed your company, and what interest did 
you demand ? 

Interrogatory 10. Did you not agree to take less than you at first de- 
manded? 

Interrogatory 11. Was not another meeting to take place, if the compa- 
ny would agree to your terms, in a few days, with an agreement drawn up ? 

Interrogatory 12. Did or did you not go to Chambers, and actually com- 
mence operations for the company which you supposed you had formed 
with McDougald and others. 

Interrogatory 13. When the arrangement was not carried out, ac- 
cording to your expectation, did you not say that you were fooled, and 
were you not very much dissatisfied ? 

Interrogatory 14. Did you ever certify any Indian contracts for land ? 
If you did, did you ever, by yourself or agent, take back, or were you in 
any way or manner interested in taking back, the purchase-money or any 
part thereof ? 

Interrogatory 15, Did you or not in all cases take the oath, a copy of 
which is hereunto annexed ? 

Interrogatory 16. You stated in your previous deposition that Hogan 
reversed a good many cases in your presence ; and in another part you say 
that Mills and others were very active in preventing the Indians from 
•coming before the agent. Please give the names of tiiose that were re- 
versed in th<3 ditfereut towns, a)id those Indians who were prevented or 
induced not to go before the agent. 

Interrogatory 17. What amount have you and your company invested 
in land claims in the Creek country, that is unsettled and in opposition to ' 
the company in which McDougald is interested ? 

Interrogatory IS. Do you consider yourself in these matters a disinter- 
'-ested witness ? Are you not largely interested, both pecuniarily and in 
feeling ? Can you say that you do not expect to be gainer or loser by the 
-event of this investigation? 

J. H. CAMPBELL, 

Claimants' attorney. 

State of Alabama, Macon county: 

Before me, Williamson M. Freeman, a justice of the peace in and for the 
county and State aforesaid, and at the house of the said Williamson 
M. Freeman, personally came Arnold Scale, who, after being duly 
sworn, deposeth and answers to the foregoing interrogatories as follows : 

To the first, he answers that, at one time, he was engaged in a com- 
pany with Nat. Macon Thornton and D. Thornton ; and that he understood 
from D. Thornton that he had made an arrangement to have McDougald 
join them in their company, and asked deponent how he liked it. De- 
ponent answered if he (deponent) conceived it to be his (deponent's) in- 
terest, he would submit to the arrangement he had made. Deponent then 
asked Thornton what kind of an arrangement he had made, Thornton 
said he had not time to relate the contract he had made then, but would 
at some other time, v/hich he failed to do. Deponent then became dis- 
satisfied and quit the company. 

To tlv3 second, he answers that, in a conversation he had with McDou- 
gald, he stated that one branch of his operators had certified one liun- 



86 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

dred and seventy contracts, and he knew forty of them to be honest con- 
tracts, for that they were contracts for which he had old bonds, and bad 
been made by McCrory, himself, and AValker, and tliat they had made 
some advances on them ; he did not slate whether they were in San- 
ford's or McHcnry's district, but that he took it for granted that the forty 
contracts alluded to were in McHenry's district, from the fact that he sta- 
ted that McCrory had purchased them. He did not state that the forty 
contracts were or were not the only honest contracts in the one hundred 
and seventy. He says it was not ; on the contrary, that he (McDougald) 
stated that tlicy had adopted this plan of personating Indians, in order to 
have the right Indians sell their lands; that he himself was willing and 
anxious to have the true owners brought up and certified, and he Avas 
willing to pay the true owners the money ; that he was willing that de- 
ponent and his company should do so, but that some of bis (McDougald's) 
company opposed it and broke it up ; and farther states, to a question 
asked him by N. M. 'i'hornton, being present, that he has no recollection 
that the name of N. M. Thornton was mentioned in that conversation. 
He has no recollection that these remarks of McDougald were made in 
opposition to an opinion advanced by deponent. He states that he did 
not designate either district. 

To the third, he answers that he has no recollection of ever having" 
seen tlie letter alluded to. 

To the fourth interrogatory, he answers that he never knew McDou- 
gald himself to bring up an Indian before the agent, to the best of his 
present recollection, but that he did not act in person in bringing up In- 
dians ; that McDougald told him tliat he had certified dead Indians' 
claims, and that he (deponent) considered that fraudulent. He says that 
he did not consider that he was fair and liberal. 

To the fifth, he answers that, on the first clay he does not think that 
McDougald was there, but some of his company were there ; that Tona- 
nulgar town was near Chapman's store, but that where they met on the first 
day was called Tonanulgar town also, on the agent's census-roll, but that 
the Indians called it Wartoolarkar. He states that he saw Mills busy with the 
Indians, and heard him tell an Indian, to a question asked by the Indian, 
to know what he should say to the agent, that he must tell the agent that 
he had sold his land to him, (Mills.) He saw Hudson take an Indian off 
and talk to him, but did not hear the conversation. He then brought hinr 
back before the agent. 

To the sixth, he answers that lie understood Paddy Carr to be one of 
the company ; that he saw him busily engaged in talking with the In- 
dians. He also saw Blake engaged in the same manner; heard none of 
the language except what he heard from Paddy Carr and other IndianSy 
which he understands is not legal testimony. Saw McDougald and Ho- 
gan get very mad with each other, and have some short words, but does 
not recollect the words. ?Ie recollects hearing the Lucas case mentioned, 
but does not know that that was the cause of their being mad ; he thinks 
that the Indian acknowledged he had sold the land to Lucas, and had re- 
ceived the money, but thinks that he denied having been certified. Rec- 
ollects hearing McDougald say he had bought the tract of land at Lu- 
cas's sale, but does not recollect the price, if it was stated at all. 

To the seventh, he answers that he does not recollect the amount, but 
that he thinks, v?pon a calculation, that there was some money coming tc» 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 87 

the Indians, and thinks that Hogan did say if McDongald would pay it, 
he would not reverse the contract ; thinks that JMcDongald stated that the 
Indian had been paid \ does not, of his own laiowledge, know any thing 
abom McDougald's giving the money to the town. 

To the eighth, he answers that the history of this transaction he has 
given in his previous deposition, is, that the reason he pitched upon Mc- 
Dongald was that he had more confidence in him than any other man in 
the company, and believed that if McDongald pledged himself, that he 
could rely on him; and that he did and still does believe that if McDou- 
gald had had his own way, there would have been no difficulty ; 
that Woodward came to him (deponent) and asked hira if there was any 
man in the company that he could believe in ; that deponent said there 
was ; that he could place confidence in McDongald if he would pledge his 
honor; and that shortly thereafter McDongald came to him. 

To the ninth, he answers that iiis company was composed of himself, 
William Dougherty, Stroud, and Charles McLemore ; these were all the 
heads of the company, but we had other operators; that he first demand- 
ed that one company should be equal to the other. 

To the tenth, he answers that, at a subsequent meeting of the two com- 
panies, deponent and his company did agree to take less than they at first 
demanded; he thinks his company agreed to take one share less than Mc- 
Dougald's company. 

To the eleventh, he answers that he thinks that the agreement was at 
the last meeting drawn up. 

To the twelfth, he answers that lie did not. 

To the thirteenth, he answers that, after the arrangement failed, he did 
say that he believed their policy had been to prevent him (deponent) from 
opposing them until they got their contracts approved; and that he was 
dissatisfied and refused to sign articles of agreement presented to him by 
D. 'J'hornton and Dr. Mills, and stated that he would have no more to do 
with them. 

To the fourteenth, he answers that he has in person, both for liimself 
and his company, bought up and certified a great many contracts, and 
that he has taken back thousands of dollars, and that it was done in pur- 
suance of a general rule of the company to which he belonged, and whicli 
McDongald joined; and that the money was always honestly paid back 
to the Indians, so far as he knows or believes, or they were paid in prop- 
erty. 

To the fifteenth, he answers that, in all cases where he paid the money 
over himself, he did take an oath similar to the one attached. 

To the sixteenth, he answers that he does not recollect what cases 
were reversed, but presumes that they may be found by reference to the 
books of Hogan ; nor does he recollect the names of the Indians pre- 
vented from going before the agent, as he has no record of their names. 

To the seventeenth, he answers that he does not know how much he 
had himself, nor does he know how much his company has. 

To the eighteenth, he answers that he does expect to be loser, and 
always has, ever since they commenced stealing land. 

ARNOLD SEALE. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 14th day of Marcli, 1837. 

WILLIAMSON M." FREEMAN, J. P. 



m [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

State of Alabama, Macoii county : 

The examination of John Garrett, taken by consent, at the house of John 
S. Green, in the county of Macon, January 16, 1S37. 

Witness resides in Cussetaw, Chambers county, Alabama; has resided 
there since about the 1st of January, 1835. Dr. McHenry kept his office 
near this place, at a place called Scale's store ; was frequently at the of- 
fice of Dr. McHenry when he was certifying ; witness's store was a little 
over a half mile from the agent's office, and he was passing to and from the 
office daily, from the middle of February till the 1st of March, 1835 ; there 
was a good deal of certifying done at the office between those dates ; that 
the persons who had the most land certified, resfded in and about Colum- 
bus. About the last of January, 1835, he first heard of the personation 
of Indians. Junius Brooks was the first person who gave him informa- 
tion about what was going on, and the manner in which Indians were 
drilled. From about the 1st of February to the 1st of March, there were 
encampments of Indians about Cussetaw. The Indians v/ere kept in 
different bunches^ some on one side of a branch and some on the other. 
Elijah Corley, who lived in Fish-pond, seemed to have control of one par- 
cel, together with J. J. McCrory ; these seemed to act together. Benjamin 
P. Tarver and Milton J. Tarver seemed to be interested with the other. 
Witness supposes that there were from four to five hundred Indians en- 
camped about the agency ; the woods appeared to be full of them. 
Corley informed witness that be was acting for McDougald, Shorter, and 
Tarver. Witness furnished a great many of the Indians with meal and 
bacon, which he kept for sale, and was paid therefor by Corley and Mc- 
Crory, they having requested him to furnish, B. P. Tarver also pur- 
chased some provisions for the Indians. 

The week that the certifying closed, witness had a conversation with 
E. Corley, who informed him that he had done afine week's work, having 
had a hundred and seventy-two or one hundred and eighty-two pieces of 
land certified. Corley informed him that the way he did, was to go to 
the agent's book, and take off such locations as he wanted, and those 
which were not certified, the town in which the land lay, and the name 
of the Indian who owned the location ; that he would then go to his 
camp, and take an Indian that he thought would answer his purpose, 
and drill him, by giving him the name that he was to answer to, tlie 
name of the chief of the town Avhere the land lay, the situation of the 
town-house, and such other questions as the agent would be likely 
to ask. As well as witness recollects, McCrory informed him that he 
was acting for the Columbus company. Witness stood by, and saw a 
great many contracts certified, and was afterwards present at the investi- 
gation, and saw the Indians who were recognised by the chiefs as the true 
holders of the locations, and is satisfied that they were not the In- 
dians that he had seen certified. Witness saw A. J. Robinson at the 
time that the certifying was going on; he seemed to be concerned with 
Wm. Vann, John J. Wilhams, and Gilder & Co.; this company filled up 
their bonds in the store-house occupied by witness. Robinson asked 
witness, on one occasion, why he did not take a hand with them ; and 
when witness answered, he said that he would pick him out a good piece 
on the morrow, and have it certified to him. (witness,) as it would not cost 
more than five or ten dollars. Witness has heard Vann and Williams say 



[ Doc. ISTo. 452. ] 89 

that they did not claim the land that was certified to them in this way ; 
that they only did it to prevent others from stealing it, and most if not 
all the contracts certified to that company were given up at the investiga- 
tion. Witness knew that frauds were practised by McQueen & Co., S. 
Williams, and Thompson. There was a man named Wm. C. Hill, who 
was engaged in the business, but does not know who was concerned with 
him. Witness states that he saw Dozier, Nat. Macon Thornton, Co- 
lumbus Mills, and Jonathan A. Hudson, about the agency at different 
times, while the alleged personation was going on; and McHenry's 
books will show many contracts certified, in which the names of these 
persons appear; and from his recollection, and the appearance of the In- 
dians that were about the agency at that time, and the Indians he after- 
wards saw recognised by the chiefs as the true holders of the locations, 
he is satisfied that they had but few, if any, honest contracts certified du- 
ring the time alluded to — say from the middle of January to the middle of 
March. Witness has heard Mills say that if any person interfered with 
his matters he would cut his throat from ear to ear ; witness under- 
stood him to allude to the contracts which he had certified. He also heard 
Colonel Wadsworth make threats if any person should interfere with his 
contracts. Witness knows that, owing to threats which had been made by 
those who were engaged in certifying, Dr. McHenry closed his office, 
and refused to certify for the greater part of the day. McCrory stated 
that the business below (in Sanford's district) was swept out, so that it 
was not worth attending to ; that they had gone through McHenry's, 
all that was worth having ; and that if ISIcHonry would turn over his 
books to Judge Tarrant, they would get the few pieces that were good 
that lay abouF there. Witness attended the investigations held by Dr. Mc- 
Henry in most of the towns in his district; sawDr. McHenry's notices of the 
time and place where he would Jiold his investigations, and a parcel of them 
were delivered to him by E. Corley, to be stuck up. Every opportunity 
was afforded the persons who had had contracts certified, to establish them, 
if they had been honestly obtained ; and Dr. McHenry gave notice that 
if the purchasers, or their agent or agents, would swear to the identity of 
the Indian certified, he would confirm the contract. 

Witness states that he attended an investigation in Highlog-town, held 
by Colonel Iloga)), and at two other places. iV memorandum kept during 
the investigation, enables him to state that there were something like a 
hundred and seventy contracts reversed by Colonel Hogan in the towns in 
which he attended, and the cases in that memorandum, he thinks, were all 
reversed. Witness saw Mills, Blake, and Hudson at the investigations; is 
not certain whether they were all at the investigations. The investiga- 
tions were held in public, and after public notice and ample opportunity 
was afforded to the purchasers to substantiate their contracts. Witness is 
of the opinion tliat the difierent individuals interested made great exer- 
tions to keep the Indians from complaining. Witness states that, after a 
case was investigated, in which J. A. Hudson was interested, and reversed 
by Colonel Hogan, Hudson took the Indian off, and, after some conver- 
sation with him, through an interpreter, which witness did not hear, said 
Hudson gave him (the Indian) a paper, and then came up to Colonel 
Hogan and said he thought that the Indian would then acknowledge that 
he had sold him his land. Colonel Hogan then asked the Indian : he said 



90 [ Uoc. No. 452. ] 

he had not sold, but that Hudson had told him that if he would acknowl- 
edge that he had, he would save him his land, and that he might still 
live on it; and that after a while they would drive off the white people, 
and he could have his land again. Hudson was present when the Indian 
made this statement, and did not contradict it. 

Cross-examined : 

Witness recollects positively that Corley said he was having land cer- 
tified for McDougald, Shorter, and Tarver. Witness is perfectly certain that 
the admissions of Corley and McCrory, before related, were made about the 
1st of March, Witness is positive that McCrory told him that he was acting 
for McDougald, Shorter, and Tarver. Witness has before stated that he 
saw the Indians who were present at the time contracts were certified, and 
afterwards saw different Indians identified by the chiefs at the investiga- 
tions, as the holders of the same locations; but witness states that he can- 
not now recollect of any particular case of that kind; he does not re- 
member the names of the Indians ; he was a stranger in the country, and 
had resided in Alabama but a short time. One case he does recollect : it 
was a woman by the name of Ote-kar, of Lnchipoga town, who was cer- 
tified to B. V. Iverson & Co. Witness never heard Dr. Mills make any 
threats but at one time. 

Witness never heard of any complaints against Robert S. Hardaway, 
as agent for the Columbus Land Company, that he now recollects. 

JOHxN GARRETT. 

State of Alabama, Chambers county : 

Deposition of John Taylor, taken before me, Felix Stanley, an acting jus- 
tice of the peace in and for said county, to be read in evidence in all 
cases to which the same may apply, and Avhich are now pending be- 
fore Thomas H. CraAvford and Alfred Balch, Esqs., now sitting as com- 
missioners, at Green's, near Tu5kegee, to investigate the frauds alleged 
to have been committed in the sale of Creek Indian reservations. 
This deponent being duly sworn, deposes and says : That, in the first of 
the year lS35,he resided about a mile and a half from Dr. McHenry's 
office ; some time in February of that year, Judge Shorter came to de- 
ponent's house, and staid there for a day or two; he had a book in his 
possession, which he said was the agent's book, and that he was taking 
a list of all the uncertified cases in McHenry's district. This was a day 
or two before the crowd collected at the agency. McDougald, Mills, 
Watson, Hudson, McDaniel, Wadsworth, Featherston, Woodland, N. M. 
and D. Thornton, came to ray house a day or two after Judge Shorter 
arrived ; Blake was also there occasionally; the rest put up at my house, 
Avhere most of them staid until McHenry started to the lower part of his 
district, Avhen they also went away. When McHenry returned, some or 
all the persons above named came back and staid at deponent's house 
again: Avhile at deponent's house, he frequently heard them talking o\^er 
their plans, and the course Avhich they had been and Avcre still pursuing. 
Deponent heard Judge Shorter say that the first lands he had ever cer- 
tified in the nation, he had pursued Colonel Abert to Line creek and 
back to Lewis's stand, and linall^'- had them certified at Fort Mitchell. 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 91 



The land he said belonged to the Uchee Indians ; and he said it made no 
ditlerence with him whether he had the right Indian or not, so he was a 
Uchee Indian; and he further stated that the best of it was, that, after he 
had had them certified, he took them down to the branch, and took back 
all the money from them. Deponent was satisfied, from what Judge 
Shorter said, that in these cases he had the Avrong Indians, and not the 
true holders of the land, certified. Heard McDougald state that money 
was a curse to an Indian, and that they had better have five dollars for 
their land than a thousand. 

Judge Shorter told deponent that if he would go up to McHenry's dis- 
trict, he would show him how they had closed the business in Sanibrd's 
district, and they were determhjed to close McHenry's in the same way. 
Witness understood Judge Shorter to allude to the personation of one 
Indian for another. Witness did not believe the plan possible for a day 
or two, when he went up to McHenry's office, where, from the course 
pursued, and what he saw, he became perfectly satisfied that these men 
were basely engaged in personating Indians, or, in other words, in steal- 
ing land. Propositions Avere made to deponent by A. J. Robinson and 
others to join them. Robinson stated to deponent that they were en- 
gaged in stealing lands by personating Indians, and on one day borrowed 
five or six hundred dollars in one hundred dollar bills from deponent ; 
and, in the evening, he stated to deponent that he had certified a number 
of contracts in the course of the day with the money, and then paid him 
back the same bills which he had borrowed of him in the morning. 

Deponent further states that he was present on one evening w^hen a 
settlement of the day's operations took place between them. McDou- 
gald, Watson, D. & N. M. Thornton, Mills, Blake, Hudson, J. G. Wor- 
sham, McDaniel, Woodland, and some others were present. D. Thorn- 
ton had the money ; and it was stated that a certain number of contracts 
had been passed that day with the money which had been then laid on the 
the table for a settlement. It was stated that interpreter's fees had that day 
been higher than they had been before ; and the impression was made on 
his mind that interpreter's fees, and about five dollars to the Indian, was 
all that was expended by them for each contract certified. 

This settlement took place at the house of this deponent ; during this 
time deponent was at the office of McHenry almost every day ; and there 
Avere large numbers of Indians encamped around about the agency — say 
from three to five hundred. Deponent states that he was at McKeen's a 
short time before Colonel Hogan closed his investigation at that place. 
McKeen lived on the old Federal road, and in Sanford's district. 

The next day deponent went to Glenn's, on the Ilatchechubba creek, 
where Colonel Hogan held an investigation. Deponent states that a 
good many Indians went forward and complained, and a good many 
contracts were reversed. Mills and Hudson, and perhaps some others of 
the Columbus speculators, were present, and had their interpreters. 
Mills and Hudson were very active in taking out Indians, and conversing 
with them ; but what was the subject of the conversation deponent does 
not know. Colonel Hogan then went to Cowiga, and this deponent was 
present there also ; an investigation was held, and some contracts were 
complained of as fraudulent, and a good many complaints that the money 
with which they had been certified had been taken from them. Depo- 
nent does not understand the Indian language ; but in these towns the 



92 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

Indians frequently told him, through interpreters, in whom he had every 
confidence, that Gibson, Scott, and Dave Hardridge told them not to go 
up and complain, for Hogan had no power to give them back their 
lands, and that he only wanted to enrol them, and take them oif to Ar- 
kansas. 

The next investigation that deponent attended was at the Wartoo- 
laharka square, where Colonel Hogan investigated a part of the Ton- 
anulgar town. At this investigation an Indian came up, and complained 
that he had not sold his land. The land was certified, as well as deponent 
recollects, to Hudson. After investigating the matter. Colonel Hogan said 
he would reverse the contract. Hudson then took the Indian off, and, 
after having him out some time, he came back with the Indian, and told 
Colonel Hogan that if he would interrogate the Indian again he thought 
he would acknowledge that he had sold. Colonel Hogan then asked the 
Indian if he had sold his land to Hudson, and he said no, and presented 
a paper. Colonel Hogan asked him who gave him the paper, and he 
said Hudson ; he further stated that Hudson had told him that he might 
live on the land, and that he (Hudson) would save the land for him, and 
in a short time that he would drive the white people off, and he should 
have his land again. This was what the interpreter stated to Colonel 
Hogan that the Indian said ; it was interpreted to Colonel Hogan in the 
presence of Hudson, and he did not contradict or deny having so stated 
to the Indian. Colonel Hogan then seemed to get angry, and, I think, 
tore up the paper, and said that the contract should stand reversed. 
Colonel Hogan told the Indian that he need not take a paper from any 
body, as the land still belonged to him if he had not sold it. Colonel 
Hogan further stated that evil consequences must grow out of such state- 
ments to the Indians ; and then advised the Indians that they had better 
make their arrangements, and get off to Arkansas. Colonel Hogan then 
went to the neighborhood of Chapman's store, and held an investigation 
for the balance of the Tonanulgar town. Deponent was present there 
also ; McDougald, Hudson, Blake, and Mills, were oresent also. While 
there, Dr. Mills drew a pistol on Absalom Islands, who was a half-breed 
chief and an interpreter, and swore that if he spoke to one of his Indians 
again he would kill him. He also commenced abusing a young man 
by the name of Coker, and said he was interfering with his Indians. 
Coker stated that he had only told the Indians if they had not sold, they 
ought not to acknowledge that they had. Mills said it was no business 
of his ; that he had made his own arrangements with the Indians, and 
that he would whip or kill any man Avho niterfered with them. Wit- 
ness states further, that he heard a conversation between Luther Blake 
and John J. Williams, who is now deceased, at a camp where this de- 
ponent and others were staying. Blake admitted and said that he had 
made arrangements with the Indians belonging to the Tonanulgar 
town, to go before the agent, and acknowledge that they had sold their 
land, and that he had promised them, if they would do it, they should be 
paid for their land ; and Blake then said that he intended to do it. De- 
ponent further states, that, while at the Tonangular town, it was under- 
stood that the Columbus company had sent a white man and an Indian 
into the Chowocolo and Oswitchee or Opilika towns, to drill the In- 
dians against Hogan got there to investigate. Believing this report, the 
company to which he belonged divided, and one party pursued the per- 



[ JDoc. No. 452. ] 93 

sons who had been thus sent, to try to overtake them, and prevent any 
improper influence from being exerted over the Indians. When Colonel 
Hogan got to these towns, a large proportion of the Indians came for- 
ward and complained, and, after investigation, the contracts were re- 
versed. 

Deponent further states, that in all the conversations held in his pres- 
ence by persons attending the investigations, except those who appeared 
to be interested, it was impressed upon both chiefs and Indians that if any 
of them had sold their lands, they should not say that they had not, 
but that they should acknowledge it. Deponent further states that he is 
interested to a small extent in four contracts only in Sanford's district ; 
two of them stood open on the books at the time of the investigation, and 
were certified by Colonel Hogan ; and that he is interested in no others 
in Sanford's district. 

Deponent further states, that while at Tonanulgar, Indians frequently 
told him, through interpreters in whom he had every confidence, that 
Mills, Blake, McDougald, and Hudson had told them that they must not 
complain, but acknowledge that they had sold their land to some of 
the company ; that Hogan had no power to give them back their land, 
and that he only wanted to enrol them to have them carried oif to Ar- 
kansas. 

JOHN TAYLOR. 

It will be seen that the last deposition given by the witness Seale was 
at the instance of those who stood charged with fraudulent conduct in 
McHenry's and Sanford's districts. Simultaneously with the introduc- 
tion of these proofs, the originals of several letters, written by Eli S. 
Shorter and others, were laid before the commissioners, copies whereof 
are in the words and figures following, to wit : 

Columbus, March 1, 1835. 

Gentlemen : I have just returned from Dr. McHenry's ; when there, 
Yargo Kold and certified his land to Dr. Billingslea for 5^6,000, and then 
gave back ^3,000 of the money, and took a bond for the occupancy of 
the land west of the river. I left at the agency Hayden and his son, 
General Woodward, Stone, McEryde, Collins, the whole Columbus com- 
pany, and a host of others, with, I firmly believe, four hundred Indians 
hid out all round the hill. Certifications commenced late yesterday even- 
ing and about sixty were taken through. The agent will be at home 
certifying the whole of next week, and in that time most if not all of the 
land will be swept that is worth a notice. I have the agent's promise to 
meet us at any place of our appointment on the Monday following; and 
to obtain this, I have to interest another man in our company, so far as it 
regards McHenry's district, and to give him one-eighth part. 

It is unnecessary to mention names ; the thing w^as necessary and was 
therefore done. 

Now, if we are to do any thing, you must instantly, upon reading this 
letter, lay all other business aside, and gather up as many Indians who 
can be depended on as possible ; and Corley or Craven, with one of the 
Griersons, must come on with them towards the agency in Chambers. 

The other, with the other Grierson, must remain behind, and collect 
and come on with another company. When you get within from five to 



94 [ Boc. IS'o. 452. ] 

ten miles of the agency, stop where you can get water and provisions, and 
send a messenger to us at the agency to let us know where you are, and 
we will meet you Monday morning with the agent, and proceed to busi- 
ness. Your messenger must reach us on Sunday night. Camp your In- 
dians out of sight of the road. You need give yourself no trouble about 
the value of the land ; I will arrange all that. Stealing is the order of the 
day ; and out of the host of Indians at the agency, I don't think there were 
ten true holders of land. When I left, there were not more than eighty 
reservations left in all Tuckabatchee ; they will all go to-morrow ; then will 
follow Thlobthlocco ; then Kialgie ; then Oak-tar-sar-say ;then Eufaula ; 
and in two weeks the whole host of Phihstines will be in your quarter, 
and, rely upon it, they will carry all before them. 

Now Scott may wrap himself in his Indian blanket, and say all this is 
impossible ; but I say it is not only possible, but certain. When I see such 
men with so few advantages getting so much valuable land at ten dollars 
per tract, and see how much money we have paid out, the power we have 
had, and see the quantity and quality of land we have received, and par- 
ticularly when I think of the reason why these things are so, I can almost 
tear my hair from my head. There is yet time to do something, but I 
almost despair of its being done. If Scott's Indian wife was at the devil, 
I should have some hope. 

We shall go into the strife, and do what we can. If you will join us — 
well ; if not — well. We have plenty of money. You need not come 
unless you drill your Indians and prepare them to receive ten dollars in 
the store for every contract certified. Be sure to bring two old women ; 
and, if you possibly can, be sure and bring Tallanhar, an old woman of 
Thlobthlocco town, who is the mother or mother-in-law of John Reed, 
an interpreter, who was killed last year. 

The whole show will be up in four weeks from this time; and all the 
Indians who do not sell will lose their lands. This system has not been 
working more than three weeks, and upwards of 1,000 tracts have been 
certified. The stream is getting wider, deeper, and stronger every day. 
If things are to be radically altered as to money at Tallapoosa, I will fur- 
nish funds in paper money to certify the balance ; if not, the Indians may 
be disbanded, and we will quit the drive, for I will stand the past-pull no 
longer ; and if Dr. Scott adopts the rule of settlement at the certified prices, 
it must be a good rule, and shall apply to all cases. 
Respectfully, &c. 

ELI S. SHORTER. 

To Messrs. John S. Scott, 

E. CORLEY, 

N. M. & N. H. Craven. 

Columbus, March 1, 1835. 
Sir : Mr. Corley gave me time to be there to close the trade with hira 
until I could get out, or until they commenced certifying. As my busi- 
ness in court is not settled, I am unable to say when I shall be there ; and 
if you have not closed the trade with Mr. Corley, you will do it for me, if 
you are not disposed to go into it ; but I prefer your connexion in the mat- 
ter. There is nothing going on at this time but stealing land, with about 
fifty Indians. Pay them ten or five dollars when certified, and get all the 
balance back, and get four hundred or five hundred contracts certified with 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 95 

fifty Indians is ail llie game. Judge Sliorter has just returned from Dr. 
McIIenry's : he states the diil'erent speculators have about 500 Indians 
hid out and certifying at night. Yargo is certified to. Without a rush, 
we are gone. 

BENJAMIN P. TARVER. 

James S. Moore was married on to-night. The judge thinks that the 
largest proportion, if not all the land that is before Dr. McHenry, will 
be certified on this week. Now is the time, or never! Hurrah, boys! 
here goes it! Let's steal all we can. I shall go for it, or get no lands. Now 
or never. 

Mr. M. A. Craven, 

Fish-pond, *,'2labama. 

BENJAMIN P. TARVER. 

Columbus, March 2.5, 1S35. 
Gentlemen : I intended to have started to the store in Tallapoosa to- 
day, but Judge Shorter thinks it better for me to stay and attend McHen- 
ry's oflice next week. I want you, so soon as you get this letter, to start 
Baily and Wat. Grierson over with as many Indians as they can start. 
I want them to be at the office with the Indians next Monday, if they can ; 
and as to the balance of you, you must be up and doing, for I can assure 
you what we don't do before Tarrant, the next week of certifying, will not 
be done by us; for just as soon as they finish on this side of the Talla- 
poosa, every speculator will be over there. They intend first to try to get 
a part of that district cut off to McHenry, and if they fail in that, they 
will take their Indians and go on ; for those lands are what they are after, 
and they will have them. They have rogued it and whored it among 
the Indians until I fully believe that, for the purpose of getting a piece of 
land, they would swear before Almighty God that the Indians in Russell 
county were located in Coosa. I think it necessary that one of you go 
down to Hatchechubba and Hickory-ground towns, and have the best of 
the lands valued and ready for certifying, as that is the part of the country 
they intend stealing in. Gentlemen, don't lie on your oars, with the belief 
that no man can do anv thing with Indians hi that part of the country, for 
they have Indians of their own, and they will fetch them with them. The 
harvest is nearly over, and perhaps there will never be another such a 
one. I, therefore, think it necessar^^ for us to be up and doing while it 

ELIJAH CORLEY. 
To Scott & Cravens. 

N. B. The judge says he thinks it best to put off the settlement with 
the Indians on that side, until after the next week. There is plenty of 
money here ready, but we thought it best not to send it until there are 
two or three in company. M. A. Cravens must be certain to "come with 

Wat and Bailey. The Indians killed old last night, but for what 

cause we have not found out. Yours, &c. 

E. CORLEY. 

With all these proofs before them, the question arose — Could the un- 
dersigned and his colleague recommend to the President to ratify con- 
tracts in favor of individuals evidently involved in so much guilt? The 



96 [ I)oc. No. 452. ] 

parties were invited to introduce such evidence as might be within their 
power, to show that they appeared before the President with clean hands, 
and were entitled to his favorable judgment upon their claims. Scarcely 
an eftbrt was made by any one of them to establish his innocence. The 
third article in the treaty declared that these tracts, the reserves, might 
be conveyed by the person selecting the same to any other person, for a 
fair consideration, in such manner as the President may direct. The 
contract shall be certified by some person appointed by the President for 
that purpose, but shah not be valid till the President approves the same. 

The position of the claimants implicated was believed, by the under- 
signed, to be that of a party seeking a decree for a specific performance 
in a court of equity ; and the position of the President, under the fore- 
going third article, like that of such a court, which possesses the power 
to refuse such a decree unless the acts of the complainant are shown to 
be perfectly fair and honest. 

The parties alleging that they had a right to the reserves certified to 
them, because they had been so certified by an agent of the United 
States, lost all the benefit of any presumption in their favor, from clear 
proof of the fact that they had, by themselves and agents, deceived the 
certifying agent, by causing Indians to be brought before them, who per- 
sonated the true holders of the reserves, attempted to be thus fraudu- 
lently set up. In the adjudication of a large class of the cases herewith 
transmitted, the undersigned has acted on the principles liere stated, and 
has given his judgment against the claimants. If, in doing so, lie has erred, 
he has the consolation to know that their judgments will be subjected to 
the scrutiny of the honorable the Secretary of War and the Executive ; 
his own judgment and conscience were well satisfied that he could not 
pursue any other course. A second class of cases was brought under the 
consideration of the undersigned, in which it appears that McHenry had 
certified them after he had been dismissed from office, and had received 
full notice thereof. Notwithstanding some of this class might be honest, 
and in all respects fair, it was impossible for the undersigned to recom- 
mend their confirmation, except where the parties claiming offered to pay 
to the proper authority a " fair consideration" for the reserves so situated. 
The undersigned regarded the provision in the third article of the treaty 
of the 24th of March, 1832, to wit : " The contract shall be certified by 
some person appointed by the President for that purpose, but shall not 
be valid till the President approves the same," as imperative upon him, 
A certificate from McHenry, given after his dismission, is, in the judg- 
ment of the undersigned, wholly null and void, and of no legal effect 
whatever. The decision of the undersigned on this class of cases has 
been againsi those holding contracts so certified. It will be perceived 
that the regulations before cited, and which were indispensable to the 
protection of the rights of the Indians, declare as follows : " When the 
price agreed upon is less than ^1 25 an acre, the agent will add to his cer- 
tificate a statement that the land is proved to my satisfaction to be of an 
inferior quality, (being sandy, or marshy, or containing so many acres 
only which can be cultivated, or specifying any other facts which may 
have come to his knowledge, showing its quality,) and that I consider it 
worth only (here insert the sum.") 

It would have been easy for the agents to comply with this provision 
in the regulations. It was adopted obviously for the purpose of enabling 
the President to ascertain whether that/azV consideration, mentioned in 



[ Doc, No. 452. ] 97 

the treaty, had been paid to the Indians. In many contracts submitted to 
the undersigned, and herewith transmitted, this duty was either not per- 
formed at all by the agents McHenry and Sanford, or in such an inartificial 
manner that the President could not decide whether this fair considera- 
tion had been paid or not. The undersigned has given his opinion in 
all the cases so situated, that these contracts ought to be rejected, and the 
land sold for the benefit of the original reservees. After the agents 
McHenry and Hogan had investigated as many fraudulent cases in 
McHenry's district as were accessible to them amidst the confusion that 
prevailed on the subject of the Indian reserves, McHenry recertified a 
considerable nnmber of contracts. The parties claiming the lands so re- 
certified, filed memorials before this board, and demanded that the Presi- 
dent should be requested to confirm their recertifications. But, in adju- 
dicating upon this class of cases, the undersigned were met by an imper- 
ative instruction from the War Department that they should only consider 
the legal validity of the first contract for a reserve on McHenry's district, 
and disregard all recertifications, except under circumstances existing, or 
to a very few reserves, and which will be seen by a particular examina- 
tion of the general report. With this peremptory instruction before 
them, the undersigned could only yield a prompt obedience thereto, 
however technical he might consider it to be. These cases have been 
decided by the undersigned against the second purchaser. But the in- 
quiries of the undersigned and his colleague were not confined to 
McHenry's district. Their instruction required them to investigate those 
contracts that had been certified by Judge Tarrant and General Sanford. 
It soon became evident that the former gentleman had discharged his 
duties with a remarkable degree of fidelity, zeal, and ability. The few- 
impositions practised on him had soon been detected, and the wrongs 
done to the Indians repaired. General Sanford's district comprehended 
a large quantity of good lands, which had been allotted to the reservees. 
Complaints had been made that frauds had been practised upon him, as 
well as upon McHenry. The latter, in his letter of the 12th March, 
1834, says, "I was at Columbus a few days since; General Sanford 
stated to me, that in several instances they had produced the wrong 
Indian, and he had certified to the contract, and he had since detected it, 
and was investigating some of them when I was there." These com- 
plaints having reached the President, directions were given to General 
Sanford to examine into the alleged frauds. Accordingly, he gave 
notice that he would proceed to hear complaints from the Indians at 
Columbus, in June, 1835; but none of the reservees attended. On the 
25th August following, Neah Micco, and four other chiefs residing in 
General Sanford's district, addressed a letter to the President, of which 
the following is a copy : 

State op Alabama, 
Creek Nation, Jiugust 25, 1835. 
To the President of the United States : 

Dear Sir : The nation of which we are chiefs have never found you 
wanting in disposition to do them justice, as far as you could ; and they 
therefore appeal to you now with confidence. It has been made known 
to you before, that wrong had been done, and frauds committed on many 
of our people by the whites, who have managed to get their land, hiring 
7 



98 [ Doc. No. 452. ] 

one Indian to assume the name of another. This has been done in ob- 
taining a great portion of lands belonging to the Indians on the Cusseta, 
Ufula, Uchee, and other towns, which can be made to appear whenever 
those whose land has been stolen can have a chance to show it. We 
know that you sent our friend General Sanford to investigate these frauds, 
and have justice done to those that had been wronged. He could do 
nothing, because the Indians were afraid to go to Columbus, being alarm- 
ed at what was told them. When the agent. General Sanford, came to 
Columbus to attend to this investigation, I, Neah-Micco, as head chief of 
the nation, called on him, when he informed me that he had returned to 
look into the frauds, and that I must let the Indians in his district know 
it. I accordingly informed the Indians, who, as soon as they got the in- 
formation, a great many of them who had never sold their land, came to 
my house, on their way to Columbus, to meet the agent. Whilst at my 
house, and at other places, they were told by the linguists, that had been 
employed by the whites to purchase land, that all the agent and other 
persons wanted, was, to get them to Columbus, in order to arrest some of 
them for old debts, and enrol and send the balance off to Arkansas. 
This so alarmed the Indians, that none of them could be persuaded to go 
before the agent. I then wrote to the agent to meet the Indians on the 
Alabama side of the river, where they would be free from the fears of 
arrest and enrolment. But he refused to meet them there ; from what 
cause we do not know. Soon after this, he left for Washington city. 
Now, on his return from there, he states that nothing can or will be done 
further ; and that he has written to you to approve all contracts. In ad- 
dition to the above, we would state that many of the Indians whose land 
had been wrongfully taken from them, live a considerable distance down 
the river ; and before they heard the agent had returned to investigate their 
claims, and could get to Columbus, the agent had left for Washington 
city. From all this you will see, that although many of the Indians had 
been wronged and defrauded by the unjust conduct of some of the specu- 
lators, they have had as yet no chance to be righted. The time is 
approaching when the Indians will have to emigrate, and many of them 
are now willing to go ; but as they have received nothing for their land, 
and feel that they may yet be righted by the President, they make this 
last appeal to his justice, and desire to remain until the frauds can be de- 
tected, and they have a chance to sell the land granted them by the treaty. 
For this purpose, we hope that the President will appoint an agent, one 
acquainted with the Indians, and in whom they can place confidence, 
with instructions to visit the chief towns and other places in the nation, 
where they can meet him without fear, and prove before him the frauds 
that have been committed upon them. We know of our own knowledge, 
that many have lost or are likely to lose their land, who never have sold 
or pretended to sell ; and it will be made plain if an agent can be sent 
among us, as desired. There are many Indians also who have never yet 
sold their land, or had it taken fraudulently : these are desirous of selling, 
that they may make preparations to emigrate ; but as there is at this time 
no certifying agent, they have no chance to sell. We desire the President, 
therefore, to give the agent above requested, if he shall be good enough to 
appoint one, full power to certify and sign contracts hereafter to be made. 
The Indians, as our friend well knows, are ignorant of their rights, and 
easily imposed upon. Many of the whites are unjust, and take the ad- 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 99 

vantage of their ignorance. In buying their lands, frauds have been 
committed, which can be brought to hght. We do, therefore, make this 
most earnest appeal to our great friend the President, that, as far as he 
can, he will grant us what we do not believe he can deny to the feeble 
and injured. If he cannot do anything for those of us who have been 
injured, they must submit to it ; but if he can, it will be an act of justice 
to the oppressed, and punishment to those that have wronged them. 

NEAH-MICCO, his -f mark. 

EFAR-EMUBLAR or CHARLEY, his -f mark. 

THEKOBACHIE-FIXICO, his + mark. 

CHARPIC-CHAR-YE-HO, his -f- mark. 

NE-HAR-THLOCCO, his + mark. 
Witnesses : 
b. marshall) 
Paddy Carr. 

The undersigned believes thai the allegations contained in this letter 
were true. Very soon after this letter was received. Colonel Hogan was 
directed to examine the contracts certified by General Sanford, and re- 
port the number that were fraudulent. This officer proceeded early in 
the winter of 183fi to the discharge of this duty, which was rendered ex- 
ceedingly difficult owing to the secret and open opposition of many 
persons, whose moral conduct was implicated in the transactions before 
General Sanford, to any investigations whatever. On the 22d January, 
1836, Colonel Hogan writes as follows to the Commissioner of Indian 
Affairs : 

"I commenced hearing complaints at this place, thinking it would be 
more convenient for the Indians, as well as such whites as chose to attend, 
and accordingly assembled the chiefs, who agreed to have their people 
there. Two or three towns assembled, and so did a crowd of land-buy- 
ers and their interpreters, who are active smart negroes. The first day 
we had some sharp sparring between the Indians and the land-buyers. 
The Indians came forward and gave in their statements with rather too 
much truth, and a scene took place of rather novel character. Some In- 
dians denied having sold their land, but Mr. Hudson, who figures largely 
in the Creek nation, ass-erted they lied, for they had sold to him. The In- 
dians denied it, but said that Hudson had told them their land had been 
stolen, and they must steal some other Indian's land, and he would give 
them, ten dollars, and that was all the money he had received, and that 
had been paid him before General Sanford had been taken back. I de- 
Ynanded of the Indian the name of the person who took it back, and he 
pointed to a black fellow present, named Tom. Turning rather quick on 
Tom, 1 said, < Ah, Mr. Tom, are these your tricks?' The poor fellow replied, 
' Master, I had to do what Mr. Hudson told me to do.' Hudson flew in a 
Yage, and swore he would blow Tom's brains out if he opened his mouth 
again. I told Mr. Hudson to keep cool ; it was useless to get into a pas- 
sion I I had an unpleasant duty to perform, and it must be done, and it was 
useless to get into a passion, as nothing could be made out of me by it. 
That night the interpreters were sent in every direction among the In- 
dians, to induce them to stay away. A council was held at Neomicco's, 
and Paddy Carr staid with them to keep the Indians off. Paddy has 



100 [ Doc, No. 452. ] 

been deeply engaged in buying Indian reserves, and is as much implica- 
ted as any of the whites. He has as many complaints against him as 
there are against others. He is. of course, opposed to the investigation. 
The next day a few Indians and two chiefs came before me ; but now all 
was smooth and fair, and they answered for all their town, and all sold 
but a few cases. I was informed that the speculators had bought up the 
chiefs, and were slaying beeves, and feeding them to keep away; whiskey 
was also profusely distributed among them. I determined to hear no 
more complaints at this place, and would remove the whole affair to their 
own council-fires, and dismissed what few had come in, and gave public 
notice that I should hear complaints and investigate in the town squares. 
Enclosed is a copy of the handbill I have issued. 

" The chiefs all seemed very much gratified at my determination to go 
into their towns. It was always my determination to investigate the 
complaints in the towns, but I had hoped I should have to enter the com- 
plaints here ; but two days ago, experience satisfied me that I could not 
probe the matter at this place, as the Indians were cowed by the mass of 
whites assembled on the occasion, but on his own square he will not fear 
any one. Major Abbott has just completed copying the report of Doctor 
McHenry-'s district. We have reversed six hundred and fifty-six cases 
in that district, and unless your agent, whoever he may be, that will be 
appointed to recertify, goes into the town square, and in the presence of 
the chiefs and other Indians, on days specially appropriated, and due no- 
tice given to all concerned, and these, and these only, certify to the land of 
the Indians of that town, the same, if not a more extended, system of fraud 
will be carried on by the agents of the land-buyers. This plan, and this 
plan alone, will check it. I have reason to believe that companies have 
been formed, on a very extensive scale, to speculate in the reversed cases; 
and unless Doctor McHenry's successor is wide awake to these people's 
plans, they will deceive him, and impose the wrong Indians on him, and 
the same complaints will be reiterated. In taking testimony, when it was 
necessary to have it, I found at first that I was quite in the dark. Men 
of fair standing would be brought up to testify to a particular fact ; but 
when I made the inquiry as to their interest, direct or indirect, I found 
them members of the same land company. In order, therefore, to know 
how far I could rely on the disinterestedness of various persons grouped 
around me, and who followed me constantly from place to place, I pro- 
duced a list of the names of the several land companies, as far as I was 
able to get them, and I send you a copy of what I have obtained ; but I 
am convinced that it is very defective, and that the companies are much 
more extensive than is generally supposed. Although we have done 
much in ferreting out frauds in the district, I am well satisfied I have not 
been able to get all the cases ; for on my return from Mobile, and whilst 
I remained at Tuskegee, there were complaints coming in every day , 
and when I asked the Indians why they did not appear before me hi the 
square, they said they were told by the white people that their land was 
gone ; but if they made no complaint to the agent, (meaning myself,) that 
Ihey should be paid the full price of their land; consequently, having be- 
lieved what was told them, they have remained away, believing it was 
better for them. But now they found they had been fooled, and if they 
deferred making complaint any longer they would lose both land and 



[ Doc. No. 452. ] 101 

money ; and in every instance of this kind, it was an admitted case of 
personating one Indian for another." 

He also writes on the 14th of February, 1836, as follows: 

" I am gratified to learn that my report has been received and is accept- 
able to the Department. A greater mass of corruption, perhaps, has never 
been congregated in any part of the v/orld, than has been engendered by 
the Creek treaty in the grant of reservations of lands to those people. I 
am followed from place to place by gangs of from twenty to forty specu- 
lators, as they are termed ; and nothing but my long residence in Ala- 
bama and known character has prevented me from coming into collision 
with these people, who occasionally break out, but generally behind my 
back, when I do not hear them." 

On the 7th January, 1836, Hogan writes to General Gibson as follows: 
'' Since writing this letter, I have had a visit from Opothle Yoholo, Tuck- 
abatchee Micco or Little King, Mad Blue, Little Doctor, and several 
others ; they came to talk about the manner the white people were taking 
the lands ot their dead relatives, and to ask me to forward a memorial 
they had prepared, addressed to the President. They say the bargain they 
have made with them they will comply with, and go when I say the word ; 
but they do not want to go under the control of the company ; and since 
they have learned that Captain Walker is to be one of the company, they 
seem to be more dissatisfied. I shall write you more fully in a day or 
two as to the prospects of emigration ; every thing wears a steady appear- 
ance of a lull and complete emigration during the approaching season. I 
am much engaged all day in hearing complaints of frauds committed on 
these unfortunate people, and some of them amounting to highway rob- 
bery. I have never heard or known of such gross cases of fiaud as are 
daily developed before me, a full report of which I shall lay before the 
proper department in due season." 

On the — P^ebruary, 1836, Hogan writes as follows, (see Doc. 276, p. 
342 :) "I was compelled to abandon the investigation at this post : the 
Columbus land speculators came over in a body, Blake, Howell, and 
others ; and I found I might as well do nothing as to attempt to investigate 
here. Beeves were slain and whiskey distributed among the Indians. 
Their interpreters were sent among them to alarm and frighten them off. 
The chiefs, I have no doubt, were in some instances bribed to lie against 
their own people. Paddy Carr, who is completely identified with the 
speculators, kept off a number of the chiefs at Neah Micco's residence, 
where they held a council with Tuckabatchie Hadji at their head. Find- 
ing how all things were managed, I dismissed them, and told them that I 
would go into their town square, and there investigate. If by this means 
I cannot get at the truth, it will at last put these gentry to as much trouble 
as they have cost me." 

In a postscript to a letter of 30th January, 1836, Hogan says, " I have 
had much opposition to this investigation since I came into this district, 
and the opposition seems to be systematized." 

Colonel Hogan, notwithstanding the difficulties in his way, and which 
are detailed at some length bv the witness Seale, persevered, and investi- 
gated many cases. The results of his labors, which were, however inter- 
rupted by the outbreak of the Creeks in the spring of 1836, have heen 
given to us in his book marked B, and which contains, as the undersigned 
believes, undeniable evidence of the accuracy and ability of Col. Hogan. 




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